In a bid to tackle the problem of insecurity in the South-west geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the Executive Governors of the region held a meeting with traditional rulers at Oyo State Government House in Agodi, Ibadan.
The major agenda of the meeting was to discover lasting solutions to the gruesome killings and kidnapping for ransom that have become the norm and the obvious helplessness of security operatives in combating crimes.
Also, during the meeting, cases of farmers-herders clashes which have led to deaths, destruction of farms and other valuable properties were discussed.
The governors and traditional rulers unanimously agreed that open grazing can no longer be sustained and must be abolished.
The meeting was attended by governors Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The traditional rulers in attendance were Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi; Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji; Akarigbo of Remo, Babatunde Ajayi, and Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan.
While talking to journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the South-west Governors Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu said the government must alter the practice of open grazing by cattle breeders.
He 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.”
Others attendees of the meeting were Deputy Inspector General of Police, David Folawiyo; Oyo Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko; Garrison Commander, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adesoji Ogunsugba; top officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Air force.
Check out the video of the meeting below:
