Fulani herds men cattle grazing reserve bill

In consideration to the challenges that Nigeria has been going through which posses a threat to the society, and possibly war between two major ethnic groups in Nigeria, here is a press release from Prof Anya. O. Anya, The President General Ndigbo Lagos.

RAMPAGING FULANI HERDS MEN, THE NATIONAL GRAZING RESERVE BILL:  EXISTENTIAL THREAT  TO OUR NATION NIGERIA.

Ndigbo Lagos, the umbrella body of all Igbo Organizations in Lagos considers it pertinent to draw the attention of the Federal Government, the National Assembly and indeed all Nigerians to the threat posed to our Nation by the combination of the activities of the rampaging Fulani herds men and the National Grazing Reserve Bill being considered by the National Assembly at the moment. On these two issues which are condemned by Ndigbo Lagos we wish to elaborate as follows:

1.       The activities of the rampaging Fulani herds men, which are known to include unbridled killings of ethnic-cleansing-nature, rape and pillage, have caused sufficient outrage Nationally and Internationally to warrant immediate use of the Military to pacify this terror tendency.

2.       The apparently detached disposition with which the Federal Government seem to have over time addressed this dangerous trend have not helped the situation. In Plateau State, Nassarawa State, Agatu in Benue State, Delta State, Enugu State, Abia State, River State, Edo State, Ondo State these grotesque tales of bloodletting, destruction, anguish and woes have remained the same.

3.       In the past few years no group outside Boko Haram has caused so much mayhem as this so called ‘’Fulani herds men’’ that have been suggested by some to actually be mercenaries from outside Nigeria masquerading as citizens of this Country. Whatever this ‘Cancer’ is must be immediately terminated by the Federal Government or else our National unity, which is already on fragile legs, will be further compromised.

4.       It is in this light that we consider the proposed National Grazing Reserve Bill as vexatious, insensitive and capable of being interpreted as a premeditated solution to a calculated action.

5.       Grazing Reserve as a strategic solution to cattle rearing is outdated and uneconomical with a potential to foist demographic distortion of the National character of the Federating units of Nigeria. That is dangerous.

6.       We therefore invite all members of the National Assembly to be conscious of their responsibility in making laws that will promote harmony within the Nation and among the nationalities.

7.       Ndigbo Lagos fully aligns itself with the informed proposal of the promotion of private Ranching arrangements for cattle rearing as the known best practice in modern agriculture all over the world. Anything else is a deliberate invitation to chaos.

Signed

Professor Anya O. Anya (OFR, NNOM)

President General

Ndigbo Lagos