As the leadership and the citizenry continue to
search for a lasting solution to the carnage that characterises the incessant
clashes between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria, Yoruba leaders, under the
auspices of Yoruba Summit, have rejected proposal for the establishment of cow
colonies across Nigeria.
The position was taken against the background of
recent criminal activities of herdsmen across Yoruba land, particularly the
killings of a pregnant woman in Ekiti State, a farmer in Ogun State and the
setting ablaze and destruction of the farms of former Secretary to the Federal
Government (SFG), Chief Olu Falae; ex Naval Chief, Vice-Admiral Samuel
Afolayan; former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Dele Adigun, and Mrs.
Roseline Ogege in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Rising from an extra-ordinary session held in Lagos
on Thursday to address the matter, the body in a statement signed by the National
Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odunakin, condemned the renewed
hostilities in Yoruba land, challenging the federal government to stop the
attacks as he vowed that no part of the Southwest would be set aside as cattle
colonies.
According to Odumakin, "We took strong
objections to the obnoxious and vexatious proposal by the federal government to
establish cow colonies across Nigeria in aid of private business and in
violation of the sensibilities of different nationalities whose lands would be
partitioned for Fulani herdsmen reminiscent of the Berlin Conference where
Africa was portioned for different colonial powers as a colony presupposing a
settlement of invading power in a given community where alien laws and values
prevail.
"The meeting resolved that no inch of Yoruba land
will be available for cow colony as Yoruba are in favour of only ranching of cattle where those in such
business will acquire land according to extant rules and subject their
operations to the norms and culture of their host communities.
"It is against this background that we called
on Yoruba people to begin venturing into modern ranching for home consumption
and export while our state governments should evolve policies in promotion of
ranching by Yoruba people.
The leaders were disturbed by the recent
hostilities, which they described as unprovoked, provocative and unwarranted.
"These renewed attacks on Yoruba property and
persons were considered unwarranted, provocative and brutal assault by
marauding elements who now carry on as if the laws of the country have been
suspended on their behalf by complicit authorities.
"We condemn these assaults and call on the
federal government to be alive to its responsibility by enforcing the laws
against these criminal activities and perpetrators of such in order to regain the
confidence of the people."
The leaders suggested that the federal government
should take some more proactive measures to end the menacing activities of the
killer herders.
Accordingly, they said: "Government should do
the following to end the menace of the armed herdsmen currently threatening
peace, order and productivity in the county: ‘declare the killer herdsmen and
militias as terrorists, disarm the herdsmen and militias and probe the source
of their arms’.
"Government should also stop the mass illegal
immigration of armed Fulani and others into Nigeria through the far northern
and northwestern borders of Nigeria. An inquiry into the serial cases of
illegal weapons that have been discovered at the Lagos port in recent time as
they pose serious challenge to our security."
The meeting presided over by Chief Ayo Adebanjo was
attended by Prof Banji Akintoye, Dr. Amos Akingba, Dr. Kunle Olajide, Senator
Femi Okurounmu, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Kofo
Bucknor-Akerele, Mr. Goke Omisore, Chief Supo Sonibare, Dr. Femi Adegoke, Hon
Oladipo Olaitan, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Mrs. Tokunbo Ekukinam, Mr. Bolaji
Ogunseye and several others.
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