Northern govs admit open grazing outdated, seek help on modern herding

The Northern Governors Forum has admitted that the current system of open grazing of cattle is no longer sustainable in view of Nigeria’s increasing urban population.

They stated this during an emergency meeting held virtually on Monday to discuss issues affecting the country and expressed concern over the tension generated by the eviction order issued to herdsmen in some parts of the country.

A communiqué released in Jos, Plateau State capital, on Tuesday by the Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, reported the governors as saying they planned to encourage herders to adopt new methods of herding.

It stated, “The current system of herding mainly through open grazing is no longer sustainable, in view of growing urbanisation and population of the country.”

The communiqué also stated, “Consequently, the forum resolved to aggressively sensitise herdsmen to the need to adopt new methods of herding by ranching or other acceptable modern methods.

“It appeals to the Federal Government to support states with grants to directly undertake pilot projects of modern livestock production that will serve as springboard and evidence for breaking resistance to the full implementation of new methods of livestock production.”

The governors noted with concern the tension the eviction notice given to Fulani herders in some South-West states, adding that this had aggravated the security crisis with threats of reprisals in the North.

They therefore stressed the need for the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to meet and discuss the issue holistically with a view to resolving the misunderstanding and conflicts arising from such threats and suspicion for the sake of national unity.

The communiqué stated, “Forum resolved to engage elders and youths in a robust discussion with a view to dousing the tensed security environment in the North. Accordingly, a four-person committee was put in place to be headed by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum.”

It called for restraint from leaders, including those in the South and urged “all the citizens of the North to continue to live in peace with all Nigerians irrespective of their origins and backgrounds.”