Southwest/Fulani Crisis: NGF, MACBAN, Stakeholders Meeting, Ban Under Age, Free Range, Night Grazing
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The meeting between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led by its Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), security agencies and other stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State has resolved to banned night grazing henceforth
It also banned under age herding which it noted is inimical to security just as it condemned the occupation of State Forest Reserves illegally.
The meeting also resolved that free range grazing must be stopped to avoid conflicts between the farmers and the herders just as it agreed that criminals should be apprehended and punished, no matter their origin, class or status.
The meeting which followed the Executive Order of the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, to the Fulani herdsmen illegally occupying the State Forest Reserves to vacate within seven days with effect from Monday, January 25, 2021, specifically said that insecurity is a national challenge and not peculiar to any tribe or region but must be addressed by the cooperation of all.
The meeting which held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (DOME), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, expressed stakeholders’ commitment to the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria.
It noted that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria is the primary purpose of Government as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended.
The governors and leaders of MACBAN noted that the order of the Ondo State Governor was misconstrued and misrepresented by a section of the media, saying that he only ordered those occupying the Forest Reserves in Ondo State illegally to quit.
The meeting which was aimed at finding a lasting solutions to the incessant killings, kidnapping and crises between herdsmen and farmers in the Southwest geo-political zone of the country, declared that no one had sent anyone away from any state or region, adding however that all hands must be on deck to fight criminality.
The resolutions of the meeting include; “There is the need to build partnership for peace and security with MACBAN and jointly wage war against criminality.
“MACBAN is a peace loving, law abiding organization which does not habour or condone criminals.
“Security agencies have been trying to stem the tide of criminality in the country but must step up their efforts in the fight.
“MACBAN also suffers insecurity and kidnapping and thus desire peaceful coexistence. MACBAN is ready for any peaceful move by the states to engender security”.
The meeting also noted that Fake news is another issue that makes security worse than solving it, adding that there must be an enduring framework with MACBAN in a way that will help address security issues.
Strengthening an alternative security arrangements and make them complementary to the mainstream security agencies in Nigeria.
MACBAN should embrace and be committed to modern breeding process by creating grazing reserves and practice ranching to prevent cattle roaming about.
The meeting resolved to establish a Standing Committee comprising of farmers, MACBAN and the Government in each state (where they don’t exist) to ensure synergy and result.
It resolved on the need to create economic opportunities for the people and reduce opportunities for criminalities in the country
Present at the meeting were Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola; Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Ondo State Governor, Romiti Akeredolu, the National Leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Nigeria and Heads of Security Agencies.
