Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday criticised the proposed creation of grazing zones across the country as ill-advised.

He warned that the proposal is against the spirit of the land use act and the overriding public interest.

The governor spoke on the raging controversy trailing the alleged sponsorship of a bill at the National Assembly for the creation of grazing zones for cattle across the country as a panacea to the perennial clash between trespassing herdsmen and farm owners.

It was at the launch of the ‘Agric Oyo,’ the Oyo State agriculture initiative, at Paago, via Iseyin, in Oke Ogun zone.

At the event were investors, outgrowers, beneficiaries, institutional partners, outtakers, traditional rulers and top officials of the state.



The governor said: “This is the time to call a spade a spade. Those clamouring for creation of grazing zones across the country should have a rethink. It is against the Land Use Act; it is against the law of natural justice to seize people’s land to cater for someone’s cattles.

“ Grazing zones could be created for those who are traditional cattle rearers in their areas. I’m not against that. But, you cannot come here and tell me you want to occupy our land for grazing zones. The land exists in our respective states and as such the right owners should decide what to do with them.

“Anybody outside this zone willing to rear cattle here will need to approach the state to buy the land and we offer what is available with rules. There is no free land for grazing zones. We need to take this firm position. It won’t happen .”

On the new agriculture initiative, the governor was upbeat that it would create one million direct jobs across the agric value chain thereby taking many unemployed youths off the streets.

Ajimobi was confident that the state would become the food basket of the South in the short run when the programme began in full swing, with the ultimate ambition of feeding the country.

The governor, who said that the initiative was aimed at diversifying the state’s economy, assured the people that the programme would add value to the lives of citizens across different sectors.

He said: “I am elated that the agricultural initiative has attracted these important dignitaries in the Agric business world and as well as a vast majority of our youths as beneficiaries of the scheme.

“This project will reduce over-dependence on oil, create wealth, alleviate poverty, encourage productivity, create jobs and bring about the overall socio-economic uplift of Oyo State.”

“Farming is very profitable and we will do everything possible to make it attractive in Oyo State to diversify our economy.”

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi and the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adekunle Salawudeen, in their separate remarks, praisded Ajimobi for the initiative, which they said was unprecedented since the days of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
http://thenationonlineng.net/ajimobi-no-free-land-grazing-2/

“ Grazing zones could be created for those who are traditional cattle rearers in their areas. I’m not against that. But, you cannot come here and tell me you want to occupy our land for grazing zones. The land exists in our respective states and as such the right owners should decide what to do with them.

“Anybody outside this zone willing to rear cattle here will need to approach the state to buy the land and we offer what is available with rules. There is no free land for grazing zones. We need to take this firm position. It won’t happen.”

I like this...highly impressed.

Oyo and Ondo have spoken. Hopefully, the rest of the Yoruba states would sing the same chorus.

And the next step would be to ban nomadic farming all over SW. If those savages stuck in the medieval ages can't embrace modern farming...they should stick to their region.

This message was sponsored by Messr Putin.

Now we are getting back our senses. To acquire any land needs the consent of the Governors. If Southern Governors are United...no land would be touched in their State

Na my man be that!

I believe natives of lands should form vigilante groups, the fulanis have met their waterloo several times in oyo state.

Good.

A leader must lead for his people. He/she must be strong, decisive and yet considerate.

The Governor's statement restores some confidence that we are not going to be soft and allow ourselves to be run over by people whose ways are strange, reckless & at odds with our core values of tolerance and respect for human life.

Correct governor, good answer to bad rubbish.

My gofno my gofno. Ajimobi on point. You know the right place to go to develop agriculture. oke-ogun bogun bolu!

Yea. Thats the point

CORRECT GOVERNOR BUT WHERE IS LALASTICLALA SEF

Ajimobi is IpOB

Mynd44.
I have no problem with you locking my thread because this one was opened first. That's how it should be.
My problem is rather the inconsistency you moderators display in doing this thing. I've opened threads sometimes and another opened later is pushed to the front page. Na only God know weda una dey collect bribe for dis thing.

If you like, ban me for saying what's on the mind of many people!


I agree with Ajimobi. These cattle rearers should be taught the ranch system and the nomadic system should be phased out. Even countries that produce more beef and dairy don't have nomads causing havoc all around.

tobimillar:
When are we going to start seeing reprisal attacks against fulani's and their cows across the southern region and middle belt?

There are cases of such, when they are faced with resistance, they begin to appeal like below

At least eleven herdsmen have been killed in the last six weeks in some parts of Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.



According to the Fulani community in the state, the killings allegedly took place at Otu, Ikomu, Igbo-Ora, Iwere-Ile, Iganna, Ilaju and Ado-Awaye.

In a petition by the leaders of Jamu Nati Fulbe Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Salihu Kadiri and Mallam Muhammed Salihu Kisi, National Chairman and General Secretary, respectively, the Fulani community lamented the brutal killings of their kinsmen.

Some of those allegedly killed are Sanni Musa, Saidu Abdulahi, Ibraheem Haruna, Umar Babuga, Saliu Rebo and Muhammad Usman.

“Natives, particularly farmers and youths, kill our people at any slight provocation. The common excuses for such brutal killings are that our cattle are fond of destroying their farmlands or disturbing free flow of vehicular traffic on some major roads.

“In the last few weeks, these persons have invaded many Fulani clans and settlements to commit their crime of serial murder with impunity. This has resulted in the cold-blood murder of at least eleven of our brothers whose families have been left in eternal grief,” the association said.

The herdsmen therefore called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi to do something urgently to prevent further loss of lives in the areas.

Nice one Mr Governor. Even with their money,U can decide not to sell land for them because of their terror acts

BETA GUVNOR

Now this is what I call Courageous Governor not some who asks their state to Fast when their people are dieing, Shey fasting go comfort a grieving soul?

Where is joborskill the Fulani asslicker?

I was highly impressed with the governor stand when I heard him yesterday. He was very blunt.

I have witness the havoc of the Fulani Herdsmen on several occassion in the MB. Fulani Militia's are deadlier than BH

tafabaloo:
Na my man be that!

Go to iddo local govt and see plenty herdmens grazing there then come back and taalk if he is ur main man. They r plenty there but never caused wahala in the zone yet.

Oke-Ogun area is very tense now. On every radio station, it is Fulani this, Fulani that! I just hope the security operatives in Oke Ogun are capable of handling the looming show down.

The governor has to call the IGP and the president. I am very worried by the drums of war being beat by the locals. Who approved AK47 as standard herdsmen stick?

yoruba's initiative vry good bt only 4 dem i wonda why y.infact,their was a country vry soon.

I'm so so so GLAD.

This is a GOOD NEWS.

I was afraid Ajimobi was going to compromise due to his closeness to PMB.

Now we are waiting to hear from Aregbesola and Amosun. Ajimobi and Mimiko have spoken, remaining Aregbesola and Amosun. The grazing nansense will never work in Ekiti and Lagos, I'm quite sure. No land for them in Lagos, Ekiti-Ketes are the most stubborn Yoruba's, no marauders can't take their land for grazing whatever.

The Bill must be killed and rejected.

Say NO to Fouta Jalons.

Alaabaa.

Please tell those demonic herdsmen that there will be no free land for grazing.