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South West Govs, Afenifere Differ On Anti-grazing Law Enforcement
Published
6 months agoon
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South-West governors and a pan-Yoruba organisation, Afenifere, have differed over the enforcement of the anti-grazing law by states in the region.
While the state governments insisted that the law had always been implemented in their various states, Afenifere explained that enforcing the already enacted laws would stop the incessant invasion of the herders who often fed their cattle with farm produce of the farmers.
Apart from the Ekiti State Government which enacted the Anti-grazing law in 2016, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Lagos and Ondo states okayed the law in 2021.
Despite the existing law, herdsmen still engage their cattle in open grazing in the South-West region.
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In March 2023, farmers in Ido-Ekiti in Ido-Osi Local Government Area called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State to enforce the anti-grazing law against invaders of their farms.
However, the state government maintained that the state was implementing the anti-grazing law enacted in the state and that the Herder’s Farmers Peace Committee inaugurated by Governor Biodun Oyebanji was part of the implementation process.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezar Boluwade, added that the state government was meeting with stakeholders to ensure that the committee brought new initiatives and development into the farming community.
In Ondo State, the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the state governor, Adetunji Adeleye revealed that right from its inception in 2020, the law had been effective in the 18 local government areas of the state.
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Adeleye, who spoke with The PUNCH, added that several defaulters had been lawfully punished.
He said, “We prosecuted some of the suspects recently, they are going to jail and the standard is that; they will compensate the farmers and pay the government fines as an alternative to going to jail. Initially, we used to have up to 5,000 petitions on the herdsmen destroying farmers farms but we now have less than 100 even as low as 10. So, the law is very much effective in Ondo State.”
In Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, told one of our correspondents that unlike other states in the region, Lagos was not affected by grazing problems, saying, “One thing you must know is that Lagos is not a state that has the kind of grazing problem that other states have.”
In Ogun State, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr Lekan Adeniran, maintained that the implementation of the anti-open grazing law was the responsibility of the police and other security agencies, noting that it was their duty to enforce any law made by the government.
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Meanwhile, Afenifere has called on the six governors from the region to facilitate an immediate enforcement of the anti-grazing law.
The group explained that enforcing the already enacted anti-grazing laws would stop the incessant invasion of the cattle herders who often fed their cattle with the crops and farm produce of farmers.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, the six governors of Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Lagos, Ondo, and Ekiti States were urged to commit their pledge to the establishment of cattle ranches across the region, saying it would represent “the inimitable values of the Yoruba as a people embedded with the mechanism to resolve even the most difficult of issues with irrepressible ease.”
The statement partly read, “The Afénifére enjoins the six governors of the South-West to, at some point, make a definite pledge to commit to the establishment of cattle ranches across all Yoruba speaking states.
“Also in the same guise, and as a matter of urgency, our governors must do more to protect our farmers, subsistence and commercial, from being preyed upon by the so called “cattle-grazers”, whose intent are very doubtful, and from there mode of operation, are often killers of our people.”
PUNCH
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FULL LIST: Those Supporting, Against Aug 1 Nationwide Protest
Published
55 mins agoon
July 26, 2024By
Editor![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FB_IMG_1623495296465.jpg)
It is no longer news that some Nigerians are planning to march against economic hardship under the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest from August 1 to 10.
The demonstration, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
However, its organisers have remained largely anonymous as no group has come forward to take responsibility.
The August 1 protest comes on the heels of similar demonstrations in Kenya, from which experts say Nigerians may have drawn inspiration.
Kenyan youths staged massive protests for weeks, forcing President William Ruto’s government to backtrack on tax hikes.
Organisers used social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to mobilise millions of young Kenyans for protests — a similar strategy deployed on Nigerian social media space.
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In October 2020, Nigeria experienced massive protests nationwide when thousands of young people demonstrated against police brutality.
As the hunger protest movement gains momentum, with thousands of youths set to take action, national and state authorities have warned the organisers to tread softly.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has revealed that participants in the planned nationwide protest would receive free legal representation if arrested and/or charged to court in Lagos State.
Citing the loss of life and property that characterised the #EndSARS protest in the country, many stakeholders, CSOs, bodies and others have pleaded with the organisers to shelve their plan, adding that the issues raised by them were already being addressed.
In the same vein, leaders from the southern and northern parts of the country have also joined the government to oppose the protest.
State governors have also cautioned against the protest, saying it is potentially dangerous.
READ ALSO: DSS Warns Against Planned Nationwide Protest, Identifies Sponsors
As part of moves to placate aggrieved citizens, the President sent a bill to raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 to the National Assembly this week. Both chambers of the legislature speedily passed the bill on Tuesday, awaiting the President’s assent.
So far, here is a list of those who are against, or supporting the planned protest as complied by The Nation
AGAINST
Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education, Ibrahim Waiya
Controversial singer Portable
Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)
Enugu Innovative Youths
Orji Kalu
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution
Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly
Kebbi State Government
Lagos State House of Assembly
SDP’s Adewole Adebayo
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Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya
Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum
Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU)
Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG)
Arewa Youth Assembly
South-East Governors’ Forum
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike
Femi Fani-Kayode
Members of the House of Representatives agreed to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for a period of six months.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun
Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna state
Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nwosu
National Council of Traditional Rulers
Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi
National Association of Nigerian Students in Lagos
Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria
Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)
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Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion
Actor Lege Miami
Door-to-door Youth and Women Initiative for Good Governance
Reno Omokri
Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Kaduna State chapter
Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian-Export Import Bank (NEXIM) , Hon Stella Okotete
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
170 members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of the “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly”
Jama’atu Nasril Islam
Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II
SUPPORTING
Atiku Abubakar
The leadership of the Social Democratic Party led by National Chairman, Shehu Gabam
All Workers Convergence (AWC) led by Comrade Andrew Emelieze
Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere
Lagos State Chapter of the Active Citizens Group Nigeria led by the group’s state coordinator, Adamma Ukpabi
Omoyele Sowore
Amnesty International
UNDECIDED
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) directed its 104 affiliate organizations to remain on standby.
NATION
News
Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin
Published
3 hours agoon
July 26, 2024By
Editor![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG-20240726-WA0007.jpg)
By Joseph Ebi Kanjo
The need for religious tolerance in Nigeria took the centre stage in Benin on Friday at a Grassroots Sensitisation Programme on survey report on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.
The programme, themed
MECHANISM TO MONITOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA, was implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); the Kukah Center (1KC) and Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu
Society (NASFAT), while King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultura Dialogue (KAICIID) provided the fund.
In her opening remarks, Project Coordinator, FORB, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project aimed at increasing the level of coexistence and the opportunity for peace in the country, and also addressing the existing structural limitations.
She added that the project also aims at the “promoting changes to existing policies in order to ensure existing laws and mechanisms promote social cohesion and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.”
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She continued: “In addition, to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect of difference through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious Dialogue (1RD) and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.
“This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities.”
On his part, keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, while stating that all the major religions in Nigeria preache justice, stressed: “Religion preaches justice. You can’t take everything because you think you are the majority. You can’t take everything just because you think you have the opportunity. Let it go round because the one who doesn’t get would create a situation where you have no peace. Everything you do must be on the wheel of ethics.”
Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Expert Representative, KAICIID, while emphasising on the need for freedom of religion in Nigeria, warned that disrespect for individuals’ religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.
READ ALSO: Barack Obama, Wife Endorse Kamala Harris For US President
“Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have source of of belonging. Where you don’t have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict,” he added.
Also lending his voice, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while stating that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, noted that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.
In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, who stated that God is one and that there’s no need for the religious strive in the country, appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.
Also in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State branch, noted: “We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God.”
News
Act Fast On Oil Spill Rocking Forcados Area, CSOs Task FG, Delta Govt
Published
6 hours agoon
July 26, 2024By
Editor![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG-20240726-WA0014.jpg)
Environmental groups have called on the government at all levels to be proactive towards issues concerning environmental pollution and oil spills.
Their call followed a massive oil pollution ravaging Forcados area which has affected the Okuntu community coastline and other neighboring communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to reports by the community, the oil spill was caused by a fire incident which happened on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria Limited, at Ajakpa Field, OML 90.
Okuntu community which is in Ogulagha kingdom is close to Ibabebe (Isiayegbene) and Odimodi (Beniboye) communities, all along the Forcados area, who are also affected by the pollution, a statement issued by Elvira Jordan,
Communications Consultant to the groups said.
Speaking on the issue, Executive Director of Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), BENIN Richard, faulted the Federal and Delta State governments for Environment on their failure to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident or issue a statement regarding this environmental disaster in Okuntu.
According to him, the people of Odimodi(Beniboye ), Okuntu and Ogulagha communities and the ecosystem are under assault, and it is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address this situation.
He urged the Commissioner for Environment to visit the affected area promptly, providing hope and reassurance to the affected communities.
“We demand a comprehensive assessment, prompt cleanup, and adequate compensation for those affected. The government must take responsibility for ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the protection of the environment.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for justice and relief for the people of Odimodi (Beniboye), Okuntu, Ogulagha and adjoining communities.” He said.
Lending his voice on the issue, the Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network, Chima Williams, lamented that the neglect of the local communities in relation to environmental pollution has become one too many in the Niger Delta.
He further laments that such neglect by the relevant agencies has driven communities in the Niger Delta into deep levels of poverty, as the people rely on their environment for survival.
Williams also called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately swing into action, and to compel the polluting company to clean up the polluted environment around Okuntu and other communities.
A fisherwoman from one the communities, Baby Oziye, lamented that the pollution has caused hunger in their community, adding that several people are now hospitalized after drinking their water, following the pollution caused by the spill.
She added that the fisher folk are unable to carry out their fishing activities, causing hunger among the people.
Another community member, Akin Ayigo who also spoke on the issue lamented that after the fire incident and pollution, neither the company nor the government has done anything about the issue.
He added that fishing boats are afraid to go close to the polluted area due to the high level of chemical concentration in the area.
He called on the relevant agencies to swiftly swing into action.
On his part, the chairman of Okuntu community, Mofort Mebilaje stated that fire broke out on the 18th of July 2024 from a facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria, which caused crude oil and other chemicals to drift ashore, polluting the coastline of Okuntu and other communities.
He revealed that the people of the community are unable to carry out their fishing and farming activities which has crumbled the economy of the community, pushing the people into hunger and starvation.
He added that the community had tried to escalate the issue to the company without any response.
Mofort called on the federal and state governments to intervene on the issue and prevail on the company to constitute a Joint Investigation Visit to the community to determine the level of pollution and to send relief materials to the community.
![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FB_IMG_1623495296465.jpg)
FULL LIST: Those Supporting, Against Aug 1 Nationwide Protest
![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG-20240726-WA0007-80x80.jpg)
Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin
![](https://infodailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/IMG-20240726-WA0014-80x80.jpg)
Act Fast On Oil Spill Rocking Forcados Area, CSOs Task FG, Delta Govt
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