Southern Governors' Forum bans open grazing across southern Nigeria

From Left: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Moses Ekpo; Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Ebonyi’s David Omahi, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Chairman, Southern Governors Forum and Govenor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu; Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos, Enugu State’s Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, Imo Deputy Governor, Placid Njoku; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia in a photograph after Southern Governors meeting at Government House, Asaba. Tuesday

The Southern Governors’ Forum on Tuesday, resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria.

The forum said reason for its resolution was that it had observed that incursion of armed herders, criminals, and bandits into the southern part of the country have presented severe security challenges such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general insecurity.

The resolution was contained in a 12-point communiqué read by the chairman of the forum and governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, at the end of the meeting held at the Government House, Asaba, Delta State.

Akeredolu, said, “The forum affirmed that the people of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of the country on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its people with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

“The forum noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the south. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the south (including cattle movement to the south by foot).”

“The forum recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

“The forum also agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism.

“The forum recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency.

“The forum recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of our various people, there is a need to review appointments into federal agencies (including security agencies) to reflect character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogeneous

“The forum resolved to foster cooperation among the southern states and the nation at large.

“The meeting expressed concern on the continued gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf. The meeting, therefore, recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.

The meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and therefore, suggested greater coordination and cooperation between federal and state governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.

“The forum expressed very grave concern on the security challenges currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF SOUTHERN NIGERIA AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ASABA, DELTA STATE ON TUESDAY, MAY 11TH 2021

At its meeting held today, 11th May 2021, the Southern Governors Forum reviewed the situation in the nation generally and focused on the current security situation, agitations/restructuring, prospect for Inter-state collaboration and partnerships as well as the on the incidence of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Rising from the meeting, the Forum –

1. affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity, and oneness and peaceful coexistence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity,

2. observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general insecurity. Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing be banned across Southern Nigeria,

3. noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot),

4. recommended that the Federal Government should support WILLING States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

5. agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of State Police, review of the revenue formula in favor of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism.

6. recommend that in view of the widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency,

7. recommend that in deference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security Agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogeneous,