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We Will Live in Harmony With Farmers, Host Communities – Miyetti Allah Assures Kogi Gov.
By adminJan 31, 2018, 00:00 am
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The leadership of the Fulani in Kogi state has assured Governor Yahaya Bello that herdsmen will live and do their businesses in harmony with the communities where they live.
National Organising Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers, Alhaji Aliu Saleh, gave the assurance during a security summit for stakeholders in Lokoja yesterday.
Farmers and herders in Kogi State, at the end of a summit, resolved to live in peace with one another.
The resolution was made following submissions by National Organising Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers, Alhaji Aliu Sale; Kogi State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop John Ibenu and other stakeholders.
Addressing the stakeholders, Governor Yahaya Bello maintained that through dialogue the government and its citizens can collectively achieve the desired goals, warning that the use of foul language should always be avoided as it can only cause more harm to the people than good.
The governor noted that Kogi State is supposed to be an epitome of peace in the country, pointing out that no body in Nigeria has the monopoly of sending away or preventing anyone from doing business in any part of the country.
He assured farmers that herders that destroys crops will be punished. He also assured the Fulani that any illegal killing of cattle will be punished.
“I am appealing to the people of the state irrespective of their tribes and religion to tolerate one another in order to live a peaceful life, where business will continue to thrive,” he said.
In his address, Special Adviser to the state governor on security, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (retd), described the security summit as another opportunity for the state to chart a way forward in sustaining the existing peace in Kogi State.
Chief of Staff to the governor, Mr Edward Onoja, while presenting the framework for security resolution, opined that there must be a paradigm shift in the ways and manner people handle issues of security in the state.
Also speaking, state chairman of CAN, Bishop Ibenu, said certain comments from the press are most unhelpful, calling on government to compensate land owners whose land may be taken for the proposed cattle ranches.
The Onu of Ibaji, Chief John Egwemi in his speech commended the governor for restoring peace during the boundary crises between Aguleri in Anambra state and the people of Ibaji.
Chief Egwemi who represented the Attah Igala , His Royal Majesty Dr Michael Ameh Oboni II, noted that the people are going to live and do their legitimate businesses in peace with the Fulanis and other settlers.
A representative of the Kogi State Farmers Association, Chief Femi Ajisafe, called on government to establish ranches to aid the rearing of cattle. He also suggests the strengthening of traditional leaders to resolve contentious issues between farmers and herders.
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