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Tag: Open Grazing

  • Open grazing ban: You will be wasting precious time if you think presidency will act on your resolutions, Falana tells Southern Governors

    Open grazing ban: You will be wasting precious time if you think presidency will act on your resolutions, Falana tells Southern Governors

    Human rights lawyer and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has commended the southern governors for banning open grazing in the 17 southern states of the country.

    Falana, who spoke during a monitored Channels Television interview on Wednesday asked the governors to back their ban on open grazing with a legal instrument to enable the prosecution of offenders.

    He also asked the governors to ensure state attorneys general come together and put in machinery for translating the resolutions into laws.

    “I have read the resolutions and for me, the governors have done very well. They need to mobilise their northern colleagues, they need to walk their talk because if you expect that the presidency will act on this resolution, the governors may be wasting their precious time,” he said.

    “Each of the governors will have to make enabling laws to translate the decision in the communiqué to legal instruments.”

    The popular lawyer also reacted to the governors’ demand for restructuring of the country, coupled with the issue of control of resources.

    He said their resolution was timely, especially as it relates to their quest for fiscal federalism in the country.

    Falana added, “For the entire country, these resolutions will be very useful; they have come at the right time, not too late, the governors have now formally joined the campaign for restructuring.”

    His comments come 24 hours after the regional governors converged at the Delta State Government House in Asaba to hold talks on the state of the nation.

    After the meeting on Tuesday, the regional governors announced a ban on open grazing in all the 17 Southern states.

    They also recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

    They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency and importance, address Nigerians on the frightening state of insecurity across the nation and convoke a national dialogue.

    The meeting followed the worsening insecurity in the country ranging from terrorism to banditry, militancy and calls for secession.

  • Why Southern Governors banned open grazing – Akeredolu

    Why Southern Governors banned open grazing – Akeredolu

    Chairman of the Southern Governor’s Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained why the group placed a ban on open grazing of cows into and within the region.

    The governors had earlier in a communique jointly signed by all called for a national dialogue and also announced that a ban has been placed on open grazing in the region. The communique was signed at the end of their meeting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, on Tuesday.

    Akeredolu on Wednesday during a monitored programme on Channels Television said the decision is not new and most of the governors have placed a ban on open grazing in their states before the meeting.

    He called for a modern system of animal husbandry.

    “This message is not new. We looked at what is happening in our respective states. Most of the states have passed laws on open grazing. Virtually all of us have passed that law.

    “We felt that … this open grazing must stop. It is causing a lot of problems particularly between the herders and the farmers. Whether we like it or not, times have changed and this must change. We must adopt a modern system of animal husbandry.

    “In this day and age, they cannot continue taking cows by foot from Kano to Port Harcourt,” he said.

    The governor said the Federal government needs to throw its weight behind state governments that want to set up ranches, noting that this will benefit the herders who are exposed to dangers as they roam with their cattle.

    “At the meeting, we referred to what Governor Ganduje said. It was clear that he is also against open grazing. He says it does not augur well and the herders also do not benefit from it. There is no development, they are exposed to dangers.

    “That why we suggested that the Federal Government should intervene to help these herders. The Federal government should give money for ranches to be created. That is why it is part of our recommendation that states who want to create ranches be supported,” Akeredolu who is also the Governor of Ondo State said.

    The decision of the Southern Governors to ban open grazing comes three months after the Nigerian Governors Forum did the same.

    In February 2021, the Nigerian Governors Forum, representing all 36 states in the country, said it had reached a consensus on the “need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.”

    The ban on open grazing comes as herdsmen violence continues to be reported across the country.

    Beyond the herdsmen crisis, the country continues to groan under diverse security threats, including but not limited to an insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and secessionist agitations in the South-East and South-West.

  • Umahi orders vigilantes to enforce open grazing ban in Ebonyi

    Umahi orders vigilantes to enforce open grazing ban in Ebonyi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered vigilantes and the Local Government Areas leadership to immediately enforce the ban on open grazing across the state.

    Umahi gave the order in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen at the end of the state security council meeting attended by heads of security agencies and council chairmen.

    The governor said that though there was no herder presently in the state, the ban on open grazing should be seriously enforced.

    “The natives should not blame security agencies who cannot be everywhere as we will fully fund vigilante operations in the state.

    “Individuals who make inciting statements on the social media should desist because such increases tension in the land,” he said.

    He urged citizens of the south east zone especially its leaders, to totally condemn the incessant attacks on police facilities among other security threats.

    “The attacks are not perpetrated by herders but by criminals and bandits in the zone.

    “How would we feel if the Federal Government withdraws policemen from the zone as a result of this development?

    “The people claiming to protect us are not doing so and we should avoid creating another monster in the zone,” he said.

    Umahi reiterated his call on policemen to protect themselves and their facilities as the situation was becoming worrisome.

    “I have directed them to demobilise anyone aiming to attack them and this is contained in the police rule of engagement,” he said.

    The governor ordered the arrest of some people whose inciting utterances escalated the conflict and killings especially in Effium and Mgbo communities of the state.

    “The stakeholders of the affected communities have pledged to ensure the conflicts cease and abide by all government’s decisions on the issues,” he said.

  • Bayelsa bans open grazing, to arrest armed herders

    Bayelsa bans open grazing, to arrest armed herders

    Bayelsa Government has enacted a law prohibiting open grazing of livestock in the state.

    Gov. Douye Diri assented to the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Wednesday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Yenagoa.

    He said the essence of the law was to ensure harmonious living between cattle dealers and other inhabitants of the state and to forestall violent clashes being experienced in other parts of the country.

    His words: “Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives.

    “The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states,” he said.

    The law, according to the governor, stipulates that any herdsman found with arms, whether licensed or not, should be arrested.

    He said that the law established a livestock management committee to regulate livestock activities in the state.
    Members of the committee include the Commissioner for Agriculture, security agencies and youths.

    “From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government.

    “The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others,” he said.

    Diri said that by assenting to the law, any person found engaging in open grazing of livestock on foot commits an offence and would be arrested and prosecuted with the livestock impounded.

    The governor also signed into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2021.

    He explained that the law was to prevent certain harmful practices against women and children.

    He said with its enactment, Bayelsa has domesticated the Federal law, which had been in existence.

    In his remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, while presenting the bills for the governor’s assent, said the livestock regulation bill was to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    Also giving an insight into the VAPP Bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Tare Porri, the Speaker said the aim was to eliminate violence against women and to also ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

  • Herdsmen/farmers’ clashes: Give us ranches, we’re tired of open grazing – Miyetti Allah tells Ondo Government

    Herdsmen/farmers’ clashes: Give us ranches, we’re tired of open grazing – Miyetti Allah tells Ondo Government

    Miyetti Allah Breeders Association of Nigeria says it is tired of open grazing in Ondo State, calling on government to make provision for ranches as a way of putting an end to frequent herdsmen/farmers’ crises.

    The Chairman of the association in the state, Alhaji Bello Garba, stated this on Wednesday in Akure.

    Garba was speaking during a public hearing on a bill to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock and provide for the establishment of ranches and other related matters.

    He said that the association would support any peaceful move to address the issue in the state, adding that farmers and herdsmen must carry out their respective activities without clashing.

    According to him, the association has been begging the state government to register Fulani men in all the local government areaa of the state.

    Similarly, Mr Ibrahim Abdul-Rahman, the Assistant Secretary of the association in the state, explained that open grazing had become obsolete and needed to be banned.

    Abdul-Rahman asked all stakeholders to embrace modern cattle rearing technique, saying that farmers and herders must allow peace to reign, considering the importance of both parties to nation’s growth.

    Applauding the move, Mr Gbenga Obaweya, the Chairman of Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association (OSACA), said that it was a step in the right direction, adding that a foundation had been laid upon which other processes would be.

    Obaweya noted that the body language of the state government showed that it was ready to protect agriculture and agricultural practices and put an end to the lingering clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

    Declaring the public hearing open, Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun, said that it was aimed at enhancing peaceful existence in the state.

    Oloyelogun added that if similar moved had been made in the past, it would have been a different story today.

    “It is for peace to reign in our state. This record will go a long way, having effects even on the children yet unborn.

    “Your memoranda and suggestions will be welcome. Please, feel free to air your views and bare your minds, but we must be objective and constructive,” he said.

    The speaker said that the bill, when passed into law, would prevent arson and frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

    Oloyelogun explained that grazing would be regulated with provision of modern techniques in animal husbandry.

    He enjoined participants to shun sentiments and stop abusing one another, saying, “We are all one.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Mr Taofik Mohammed, said that the importance of the bill could not be over-emphasised, hence the need for the hearing.

    Mohammed noted that one of the cardinal roles of the bill was to achieve virile and peaceful atmosphere in the state.

    He added that the bill was attached to human survival, considering the frequent fracas between farmers and herdsmen, which had resulted in loss of lives and property in the state.

    The lawmaker said it was regrettable that some criminally-minded people had been hiding under the feuds between farmers and herdsmen to wreak havoc on innocent citizens, saying that this had brought uneasy calm and perpetual fear in virtually every quarter.

    The chairman explained that the effects of the lingering misunderstanding between farmers and herders had grave effects on the economy, growth and development of the state.

    “It is obvious that GDP will adversely drop whenever food and animal production is hampered,” he said.

    Mohammed stated that the bill would address causes of the crises and proffer solutions, urging participants to take full advantage of the hearing and make invaluable suggestions.

    Also reacting, Mr Akin Olotu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, said that the bill was for justice and fairness.

    Olotu noted that the bill, if passed into law, would allow farmers and herders to do their work legitimately.

    “The bill is not meant to persecute anybody. If you recollect, Mr Governor sometimes ago asked illegal occupants to leave our forests.

    “This is not pointing at any ethnic group. For every person, you are free to operate in the state, irrespective of your ethnic affiliation,” he said.

    The governor’s aide noted that the bill would address slaughtering of cows and provide designated locations in each council area.

    Dr Akinwumi Gideon, the state Commandant of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, described the bill and the public hearing as commendable.

    Gideon said that the bill, if passed, would bring an end to the existing rancour between farmers and herdsmen.

    He promised that the group would deploy, at least, 800 personnel for enforcement, when the bill eventually became law.

    Oba Yusuf Adeleye, the Olubaka of Oka, said that there was no way to manage open grazing with agriculture in modern society.

    Oba Adeleye, who applauded the public hearing, stated that the gathering was meant for the peace of the state, adding “We are to make headway because we disagree to agree”.

    Oba Joseph Adebobola, the Asaru of Isaru in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, noted that if the past government had taken such a step, there would not have been any record of crisis between farmers and herders.

  • Southwest governors, traditional rulers say FG must end open grazing

    Southwest governors, traditional rulers say FG must end open grazing

    South-west governors in Nigeria on Saturday met with its traditional rulers to demand the need for both state governments and the Federal Government to end open grazing.

    The support, according to the governors, could come in the form of government establishing designated grazing areas, setting up feeding mills among others.

    The chairman, Southwest governors forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting of governors, traditional rulers and security chiefs, held at Oyo state governor’s office, Ibadan, on Saturday.

    In sum, Akeredolu said government at the various levels must devise ways to change the practice of open grazing by cattle breeders.

    Akeredolu said, “We discussed that as we are supporting other areas of farming, like rice farmers and others, the need for government to support cattle breeding is now. And one of the ways we can support cattle breeding is to change the ways and means that cattle breeders are adopting now.

    “So, you can find designated grazing areas where you can graze, you can have feed mills where you can feed, you do not have to trek with your herds from far.

    “But, things that will lead to open grazing in these modern times must be looked at and the state and federal government, in particular, should give support as much as we can to cattle breeders.”Present alongside Akeredolu at the meeting were Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and host governor, Seyi Makinde.

    The roll call of obas present included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan; Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao.

    Also in attendance are Deputy Inspector General of Police, David Folawiyo; Oyo Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko; Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adesoji Ogunsugba; top chiefs of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Air force.

    Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari; Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu and the Director-General of State Service, Yussuf Bichi, who were expected at the meeting, were absent.

    Their absence was attributed to bad weather which disallowed them from being able to board their flight from Abuja to Ibadan for the meeting.

    Speaking further on discussions at the meeting, Akeredolu pointed to concerns about the continued influx of foreign herdsmen, unchecked, into the country owing to the nation’s porous borders.

    Noting the tendency for foreign herders to be behind invasion of farms and clashes with farmers, the meeting held that there was need to tighten the nation’s borders.Akeredolu added, “We all agreed that our borders have become too porous and that we need to do something urgently to prevent foreign herdsmen from coming into this country without any form of caution because a number of them have come in with their herds and what they do is of concern to us. “We all believe that our borders need to be checked and we need to tighten our borders so that all those foreigners from Niger republic and those beyond bordering states don’t come in with their herds and destroy our farms.”

    On forest management, the Ondo governor said the Southwest governors aligned with the decision of the National Economic Council (NEC) that states should manage and preserve their forests.

    “We all agreed that the time is now that we support the decision of National Economic Council (NEC) about forest management and that they believe that all the states should be in a position to manage their forest and that will give enough room for you to determine who is there, what purpose are they serving, and where you have people illegally.

    “The state should be able to take some steps so that you can preserve our forest,” Akeredolu added.

  • FCTA bans open grazing in Abuja

    FCTA bans open grazing in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration has prohibited open grazing of cattle in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The Administration said it had communicated the directive to the leadership of the Fulani herdsmen in the FCT.

    The Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Hassan Abubakar who disclosed this stated that the one-month ultimatum issued to the pastoralists had expired, adding that violators would be sanctioned henceforth.

    The decision of the FCTA is coming against the ban on open grazing by the Northern Governors’ Forum, which described the practice as outdated.

    The AEPB director said over 100 cattle earlier confiscated were returned after their owners were fined by courts, adding that any herdsman found grazing his animals on Abuja streets would be penalised heavily.

    A special team, he said, had been constituted to enforce the directive.

    Abubakar further revealed that the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, had earmarked five locations for cattle grazing in Abaji, Kwali and Kuje Area Councils.

    He said, “We held meetings with the leadership of Fulani herdsmen in the FCT and they have agreed on so many issues. We have given them time, which they asked for, and when the time lapses, we will strike. They are not allowed to graze inside the city; that’s prohibited.

    “Even the minister has approved some grazing areas where RUGA is going to be created; about five areas. We have one around Kwali; another one in Abaji and one in Kuje.

  • Sign executive order to ban open grazing, senator begs Buhari

    Sign executive order to ban open grazing, senator begs Buhari

    A member of the Senate representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Tolulope Odebiyi, has urged President, Muhammadu Buhari to take an immediate action against killer herdsmen in the country.

    Odebiyi made this known during plenary on Wednesday while lamenting the influx of criminal herdsmen into Nigeria from neighbouring countries.

    The senator said, “It is an indictment on our leadership that people are coming into Nigeria to rape, maim and kill our people. It is upsetting and we must rise up to this occasion. I rise that the President need to speak and calm the nation.

    “The President can sign an Executive Order banning open grazing. There are actions that he can take immediately but nothing is being done.”

    The South-West region has been in the eye of the storm of late over the activities of killer herdsmen who rape, kidnap and destroy farmlands with their cattle.

    Many Nigerians including Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, had urged the President to address Nigerians and make it known publicly that he does not support the criminal activities of some herdsmen in parts of the country.

    Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, had also called for the enactment of a law to abolish the movement of cattle by herdsmen from the Northern part of the country to other parts in order to prevent the incessant herdsmen-farmers clashes rocking parts of the country.

    But Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari would be a talkative if he speaks on every matter including the herdsmen crisis.

    Though the Senate did not include Odebiyi’s motion in its resolutions, the upper chamber, however, observed a minute silence in honour of all victims of insurgency, banditry, herdsmen-farmers clashes, and other security challenges.

    The Senate resolved to “urge the State Governors to re-invigorate rural governance and convene state-wide inter-communal conclaves and dialogues to promote local conflict resolution and inter-ethnic harmony.”

    It also “urge the Federal Government to immediately embark on an operation to checkmate proliferation of firearms and enforce the laws against illegal possession of firearms by arresting, disarming and punishing anyone in illegal possession of arms.”

    The Senate further “urge the State Governors to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan which is a modern scheme designed to eliminate transhumance in order to prevent farmer-herder conflicts and activate highly productive livestock sector in Nigeria.”

  • Herdsmen activities: Reps move to criminalise open grazing

    The House of Representatives has called for the criminalisation of open grazing as it affects the security of lives, property and food production in the country.
    This was sequel to a unanimous adoption of ”Urgent Motion of Public Importance” by Rep. Ben Igbakpa (PDP-Delta) in the plenary on Thursday.
    Igbakpa said that Ethiope Federal Constituency is made up of Ethiope-East and Ethiope-West a linear settlement along the Shores of river Ethiope.
    He said the area is a predominantly agrarian and was well known for the production of all stable food like cassava, plantain and yams.
    ”An agrarian society is any community which economy is based on producing and maintaining crops and farmland,” he explained
    The rep said that Delta State University is situated in Abraka in Ethiope-East Local Government Area (LGA) which has enable many of the lecturers engage in farming on part-time basis.
    He alleged that between 2014 and 2018, a total of 36 persons were killed, including four lecturers in their farmland by herdsmen.
    “In this year 2019, a total of eight persons have been gruesomely murdered for daring to insist that the herdsmen should not graze on their farms.
    “Not single prosecutions of the culprits have been recorded to serve as a deterrent,” he said.
    Igbakpa said that on July 2, the entire Local Government Area of Ethiope-East woke up into mourning and grief.
    He said that farmlands of over 100 hectares, cultivated with cassava, yam, maize and plantain were allegedly brought down to ruin by dare-devil herdsmen.
    The lawmaker alleged that the herdsmen were bearing arms and threatening to deal with anybody who challenged them.
    The legislator said that the herdsmen claimed that they “own Abuja” even as they operate in Delta.
    He recalled that Ovre village in Delta and Ewosi village which is a border town to Edo had been forcefully abandoned by the communities to herdsmen for fear of incessant killings and destruction of crops.
    “The continued nomadic activities into the communities of Abraka, Eku and environs for grazing are a total call for anarchy which cannot be tolerated.
    “If these ugly and dastardly acts are not checked, having gradually eroded the source of livelihood of the people of Ethiope Federal Constituency particularly Abraka, Eku, Oghara, Jesse and Mosogar communities, there will be likelihood of discouraging potential investors.
    “It is ruining the comparative agricultural advantage in these areas and the activities of the herdsmen have continued to cause panic, palpable fear and tension on the people who are now afraid to go to farms in search of their daily bread and sustenance.
    “No doubt this will lead to hunger, poverty, malnutrition and ultimately refugees in their own ancestral land,” he said.
    Igbakpa said that in spite of the effect on food security and the inherent adverse economic effect on the people, the activities of these herdsmen if not checked could result in self-help by the local communities.
    According to him, the nefarious activities of these herdsmen have continued unabated for over five years now with largely and devastating consequences as it progresses.
    The parliamentarian said that there is an urgent need for a more robust and sustainable approach to solving the problem by all stakeholders.
    “Section 14(2) of the 1998Constitution ria (as amended) provides that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary responsibility of the government.
    “The people of Ethiope West/East want to see that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not failed in their constitutional duties to secure them.
    “The constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement of the good people of Abraka, Jesse, Mosogar, Oghara and Okpara, all in Ethiope Federal Constituency seems to have been eroded and no longer guaranteed in view of the nefarious activities of the herdsmen,” he said.
    According to him, the people can no longer move around freely to the extent that some roads including Sakpoba and Ovre are no-go areas having been deserted for fear of attack by the herdsmen.
    The house urged the security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, midwife a meeting of stakeholders in Ethiope Federal Constituency and leaders of the herdsmen to douse the tension and find a lasting solution to this recurring security milieu.
    The green chambers urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the Federal Ministry of Information and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enlighten herdsmen to endeavour to limit grazing to areas allowed.
    The lower chambers tasked the agencies on the need to reorient the herdsmen to understand that ranching should be a compulsory component of cattle herding in Nigeria in the interest peace with the host communities.
    The parliamentarian urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other regulatory authorities as a matter of urgency provide food items and relief materials to the identified victims of the wanton destruction.

  • Reps move to criminalise open grazing over recurring threat to life

    …condemn killing of 44 persons for rejecting grazing on their farms in Ethiope East
    …want NOA repositioned
    Apparently disturbed by incessant killings of innocent Nigerians, the House of Representatives on Thursday asked all the security agencies to ensure criminalization of open grazing considering the threat posed to citizens’ lives, property and food production, except where laws have been enacted to promote such open grazing.
    The resolution was passed during plenary, this was sequel to the adoption of a motion promoted by Hon. Ben Rollands Igbakpa, member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency of Delta State, who decried the killing of 36 persons including four Lecturers between 2014 and 2018.
    Leading the debate, Igbakpa expressed grave concern over the frustration inflicted on his constituents in Ethiope East/Ethiope West, which is a linear settlement along the shores of River Ethiope, which is predominantly agrarian constituency and well known for production of all stable food derived from cassava and yam.
    According to him, Delta State University is also situated in Abraka in Ethiope East Local Government Area and provides enabling environment for many lecturers to engage in farming on part time basis.
    “In this year 2019, a total of eight persons have been gruesomely murdered for daring to insist that the herdsmen should not graze on their farms of which, not a single prosecution of the culprits to serve as a deterrent have been recorded.
    “On Saturday, 12th July, 2019, the entire Local Government Area of Ethiope East woke up into mourning and grief as their farm lands of over 100 hectares being cultivated with cassava, yam, maize and plantain was brought down to ruin by these dare devil herdsmen, bearing arms and threatening to deal with anybody who come around to challenge them, with a claim that they won Abuja even as they operate in Delta State.
    “It is worthy of note that Ovie Village in Delta and Ewosi village which is a border town to Edo and Delta State to have been forcefully abandoned by the communities to herdsmen to enable them carry out their activities for fear of the indigenes’ lives due to incessant killings of its people and destruction of their crops. The continued nomadic activities into the communities of Abraka, Eku and environs for grazing are a total call for anarchy which cannot be tolerated,” he noted.
    To this end, the House urged the security agencies including Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of State Security and Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSCDC) etc, should as a matter of urgency midwife a meeting of stakeholders in Ethiope Federal Constituency and leaders of the herdsmen with the view to douse the tension and find a lasting solutions to this recurring security milieu.
    Also, the House mandated the Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethnic and Values, when constituted, to conduct a hearing on the challenges facing the National Orientation Agency with a view to charting a way forward to enable the Agency fulfill its statutory mandate.
    The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Olajide Olatubosun (APC-Oyo) who frowned at the failure of the agency to effectively discharge it’s statutory functions over the past 20 years of democratic dispensation.
    “The Mass Mobilization for Self-Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), as the forerunner of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), even under a military dictatorship, effectively inspired Nigerians to attain appreciable level of awareness and constructive encasement in national issues on consistent basis with attendant citizenry training and awareness campaigns along with abiding jingles and signature tones.
    “The House is aware that most of the current national controversies that are adversely affecting our democratic growth and national development stem from ethno-religious sentiments that are fuelled by pathetic deficit of public discuss and policy contestations which have now assumed disturbing dimension on regular basis.
    “The House observes that strategic awareness and enlightenment campaigns on government policies by the Agency in line with its foremost objectives to ensure that Federal Government programmes and policies are better understood by the public and mobilize favorable opinions for such programmes and policies amongst others, will serve as platform for discouraging the current wave of agitations among Nigerians.
    “The Agency by its statutory mandate is not supposed to be a government propaganda machinery, but rather a veritable platform for collective engagement and dialogue that will give meaning to the political objectives enunciated in section 15(4) of the 1999 Constitution that the state shall foster a feeling of belonging and involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties,”.