Business

Herders defy southern states’ ban on open grazing

Published

3 years ago

September 12, 2021

It seems to be business as usual for some herders in parts of the southern states especially in the rural areas, as they continue to graze their livestock in the open despite the ban on such activities.

Reports from our correspondents across the states suggest that little has changed in the way herders have been grazing their cattle , goats and rams since the take-off of the ban on September 1.

The only exception so far is Ondo State where the State Security Network – Amotekun – on Thursday arrested three herdsmen and 56 cows for allegedly violating the anti-grazing law.

The suspects were arrested at Iwara, a community in Ikare Akoko, headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government, after allegedly destroying a farmland.

The Commander of Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the arrest and vowed that the law would be enforced across the state.

He asked leaders of herders’ associations to educate their members on how to conduct themselves without creating conflict.

The arrested persons were fined for their actions.

The Seriki Hausa Akungba Akoko, Alahaji Idris Jumil Ismaila, thanked the governor of Ondo State for allowing them to settle out of court and promised to get herders comply henceforth.

It was gathered that herders in the rural areas of the Southwest,Southeast and Southsouth are going about their business unmolested.

A resident of Anambra State, Dr Elo Aforka, told The Nation that the pronouncement of Governor Willie Obiano on the ban was insufficient without a proper law.

“The only way to run a society is by law. Any civil society is run by law and not by utterances,” Aforka said.

He alleged that clashes between the cattle breeders and communities in the state persist and the people are yet to see the ban implemented.

Another social commentator in the state, Emma Okafor, told The Nation that the impact of the ban on open grazing had not been felt in Anambra State

He said the governor was expected to present a bill to the State House of Assembly, based on the agreement reached by the 17 Southern governors, yet, he refused to act.

Information and Public Enlightenment Commissioner, C -Don Adinuba, had earlier told The Nation that the government inaugurated a committee to ensure harmony between herders and locals.

The leader of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, corroborated the government’s claim.

A farmer in one of the rural communities in Awka North Local Government Area of the state said herders still encroach on farms.

But the 62-year old woman, who does not want her name mentioned, said harassment from the herders has reduced a bit, compared to two -three years ago, adding that the herders still move around the state with their cows.

The situation is not different in Abia State where a law banning open grazing is already in place.

Asked why violators had not been arrested, the Chief Press Secretary of Governor Ikpeazu, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the Police, Abia State Command should explain to the public why they have been unable to enforce the law on anti-grazing as signed into law by the governor of the state.

A resident of the state, Mr. Ohaeri Stephen, said the Police should ensure compliance with the law.

Many herders exit Ebonyi

Investigation showed that a large number of herders relocated from Ebonyi State before the take- off of the ban on open grazing and following two attacks on residents of Ohaukwu and Ishielu local government areas earlier in the year.

A resident of Onicha Local Government Area, who gave his name as James, said the herdsmen were a terror in the area.

“They raped women, attacked and killed people and destroyed farmlands. They contributed to the increase in food prices as many farmers suffered poor yield due to the destruction caused by cattle.”

Ban has restored calmness, says Bayelsa govt

Bayelsa State Information, Orientation and Strategy Commissioner Ayibaina Duba, says the enforcement of the anti-open grazing law passed on March 10, 2021 has been effective and restored calmness in the state.

“Since we started enforcing the anti-open grazing law more than six months ago, we have not had the

– The Nation

Business

Food price, transport fare hike push Nigeria’s inflation to 33.88%

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Food price, transport fare hike push Nigeria’s inflation to 33.88%

Rising cost of living based on the increase in food prices and transport fares among others has reflected in the latest inflation figures in Nigeria, put at 33.88 per cent.

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 33.88 per cent in October 2024, up from 32.7 per cent in September 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released on Friday.

Newstrends.ng observes that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised interest rates five times this year in an effort to rein in inflation.

The NBS in its latest report attributed the rise in inflation to increased transportation costs and higher food prices.

On a year-on-year basis, the rate was 6.55 percentage points higher than the 27.33 per cent recorded in October 2023, highlighting a substantial increase in inflation over the past year.

On a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in October 2024 stood at 2.64 per cent, representing a 0.12 per cent increase from the 2.52 per cent recorded in September 2024

This indicates that the rate of increase in the average price level in October 2024 was higher than the rate of increase observed in September 2024.

Aviation

Disaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

Disaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight

An Abuja-Lagos flight was on Thursday aborted following a bird strike on the airplane belonging to Air Peace, forcing the authorities to ground the aircraft.

The bird strike experienced in the early hours reportedly prompted a ramp return to ensure the safety of passengers onboard.

All the passengers quickly disembarked and were calmed down before they were moved into another plane for the one-hour journey.

A bird strike is a collision between a bird and an aircraft, or other airborne animal, while the aircraft is in flight, taking off, or landing. And it can be a significant threat to aircraft safety.

Air Peace in a statement by its Head of Corporate Communications, Ejike Ndiulo, said the bird strike occurred at 6:30am, and all passengers disembarked normally.

The statement read, “We wish to inform our esteemed passengers that our Abuja- Lagos 06:30 flight experienced a bird strike before take-off, prompting a ramp return as a safety measure. All passengers disembarked normally.

“We have deployed a replacement aircraft for the affected flight in order to minimize disruptions, thus ensuring that passengers continue their journeys promptly.

“We appeal for the understanding of our valued passengers impacted by this development, as well as those on other flights that may experience delays.

“At Air Peace, we are committed to providing safe, comfortable, and reliable air travel for all our passengers.”

Business

NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

NNPC achieves 1.8mbpd crude oil production

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and its partners have revved up crude oil and gas production to 1.8million barrels per day (mbpd) and 7.4standard cubic feet per day (scfd).

The company which announced this at a press briefing said the feat was achieved in compliance with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, congratulated the Production War Room Team that anchored the production recovery process.

“The team has done a great job in driving this project of not just production recovery but also escalating production to expected levels that are in the short and long terms acceptable to our shareholders based on the mandates that we
have from the President, the Honourable Minister, and the Board,” Kyari explained.

Giving details of the efforts of the Production War Room, the Chief War Room Coordinator and Senior Business Adviser to the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lawal Musa, disclosed that the feat was achieved through the collaborative efforts of Joint Venture and Production Sharing Contract partners, the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as government and private security agencies.