No Plans To Snatch States’ Land For Ranching ― Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government is not interested in grabbing land from states to implement its proposed National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).

In giving the assurance, Vice President Osinbajo said there are no plans to force any community or state into offering their land for ranching which is basically a commercial concern like other businesses.

“The crucial point here is that no community or state is compelled in any shape or form to give land for ranching. Ranching is essentially a business. NLTP is not a land grab in any way. Every state is completely responsible for its land. The Federal Government cannot go to any state and take any land”, the Vice President said.

Vice President Osinbajo spoke at the International Conference on Patriotism, Security, Governance and National Development, an event organised by the Global Patriot Newspaper in partnership with the Nigerian Consulate in New York and Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation, (NIDO) New Jersey Chapter, United States

A statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande quoted the Vice President as saying; “The NLTP is a comprehensive strategy for addressing farmer/herder conflict essentially by encouraging interested states to establish cattle ranches.

“Already 22 states have indicated interest and pilots, with the support of the Netherlands government, are ongoing in four (4) states of Adamawa, Nasarawa, Plateau and Gombe. If we are able to execute the NLPT, we will be able to see an end to the farmer-herder conflict because the goal is to make livestock breeders more sedentary and derive more financial benefits.”

Professor Osibanjo said efforts at addressing the recurring clashes between farmers and herders have strengthened the resolve by both federal and state governments to implement the NLTP initiative endorsed by governors under the National Economic Council (NEC) umbrella.

Noting that it is quite demanding to build a better society that all Nigerians deserved, Prof Osinbajo said the task requires selfless contributions from every well-meaning citizens for the overall good of the country.

“The task of nation-building is exerting and may even appear messy as the process continues, especially in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation like Nigeria. It challenges all values, patience and tolerance of citizens, it may even be costly. It is a challenge thrown to everyone, to build, not to destroy, and to add to, not to take away”, he said.

On security concerns across the country, Vice President Osinbajo reaffirmed support for decentralising the Nigeria Police Force, adding; “We must accept that there is a need for greater decentralization of the police force. I have been a frequent advocate of state policing and I believe this certainly must be the way we must go.”

He said with some proposals already before the National Assembly, the lawmakers must urgently consider and support devolution of more powers to the states as part of efforts at effectively tackling insecurity in the country.