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Buhari government’s grazing reserve plan has hidden agenda – Benue Gov Ortom

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Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has reacted to media statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba
Shehu that the Federal Government would commence rehabilitation work on grazing reserves across the country next month.

The governor described the move as shocking and disappointing particularly at a time when insecurity was at its peak, wondering how reopening of grazing routes should be the solution as against the national dialogue.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to governor, Terver Akase which was made available to Journalists on Tuesday, the governor asserted that Federal government’s hidden agenda has become obvious to Nigerians now.

The statement noted that Buhari was assiduosly working to realise his hidden agenda given that all the geopolitical zones and governors of his own political party have accepted that open grazing was no longer fashionable.

The statement noted: “We find the move not only shocking and curious but also as a misplaced priority.At a time the country is worried about the worsening security situation and many Nigerians are calling for national dialogue to address the fundamental issues that have led to the present state of affairs, the Federal Government considers the reopening of cattle grazing routes as the only solution available to it.

“It is now clear that there is a hidden agenda which only the Presidency knows. Otherwise, all the regions of the country have accepted the fact that open grazing of animals is no longer fashionable and should be banned to pave way for ranching, yet, the government at the centre is insistent that grazing reserves/cattle routes must be created across the country.

“On February 9, this year, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) met and agreed that the current system of herding mainly by open grazing is no longer sustainable, in view of growing urbanisation and population of the country.

“The Forum consequently resolved to sensitize herders on the need to adopt ranching as the new method of animal husbandry.

“The 17 Governors of Southern Nigeria rose from their meeting in Asaba on May 11 also this year, with a ban on open grazing in the entire region. The Southern Governors equally adopted ranching as the alternative method of rearing animals.

“As it stands, the Presidency is the lone hand pushing for the continuation of open grazing and the return of cattle routes of 1950s and 60s. The Presidency has, by its endorsement of open grazing, emboldened armed herders who lay claim to all lands in Nigeria as belonging to Fulani, hence their invasion of farming communities and killing of original owners of such lands.

“The fact must be established that grazing reserves or cattle routes are no longer tenable in the 21st century when Nigeria’s population far exceeds that of the fifties at a time these routes were contemplated. At present, the routes have been taken over by airports, roads, schools, hospitals, as well as markets, houses and other human activities.

“The country’s land mass has also reduced to less than 923 square kilometers with the excision of Bakassi to Cameroon. Besides, the international best practice of animal husbandry is ranching; and that’s the stand of Benue State.

 

“We in Benue have embraced ranching as the viable alternative to open grazing and there is no going back on our resolve. Our ranching law which prohibits open grazing is Benue people’s reaction to the incessant killings, and it is also an instrument of development.

“The law was enacted by representatives of the people in the Benue State House of Assembly, in exercise of its powers as provided for by Section 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Part 2 of the Second Schedule reinforces the power of the State House of the Assembly providing that “a House of Assembly may make laws for the State with respect to industrial, commercial or agricultural development.”

“The Law followed due process with public hearings and requisite opportunity for all stakeholders making input.

Ranching as a policy has the potential to launch Nigeria into 21st century agricultural good practices. Today, open grazing is extinct in most countries of the world.

“In Europe, America, Asia and in many countries in Africa, pastoralism has long given way to ranching. How can Nigeria then still be battling with a problem of pastoralism that in other countries has been solved over a century ago? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, India has 303 million cattle, Brazil, 226 million, China, 100 million, USA, 93 million, Argentina, 53 million and Australia 27 million. All these countries ranch their animals. Nigeria has less than 20 million cattle which can easily be ranched. Unfortunately, the cows are allowed to either roam the streets freely or encroach on people’s farms and other investments.

“While we may not stop the Federal Government’s plan to rehabilitate grazing reserves or create cattle routes in other states, we wish to make it clear that no land in Benue State has been gazetted for grazing routes, grazing reserves, cattle colonies and Ruga settlements. Benue is therefore not part of the grazing reserves rehabilitation programme of the Federal Government.

“We expect the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to weigh the negative consequences its recommendation will have on the unity and security of the nation and advise Mr President that Nigerians are not on the same page with him regarding the matter of open grazing. It is not too late to salvage the situation.

“We are concerned about the plight of millions of farmers who have been displaced as a result of herders’ attacks and are now in IDP camps; a development which is already adversely affecting food production.

“Benue State has over one million displaced people who are mostly farmers, and the task of returning them to their ancestral homes is what should bother the Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies of the Federal Government.”

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Constituency Projects: Oyebanji Joins Senate Leader On Tour Of Project Sites in Ekiti

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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and Senate Leader, Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has commended the members of the State Caucus in the National Assembly for their dedication to the advancement of development in the State.

The Governor praised their efforts in initiating constituency projects that directly tackle pressing needs and improve the lives of citizens.

Oyebanji gave the commendation in Ado-Ekiti, the State Capital on Tuesday when he joined the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District and Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, on a tour of his constituency projects spanning various local government areas within the senatorial district.

The Governor said he is delighted at the remarkable partnership between the state government and National Assembly members, which according to him is now yielding positive results for the people of the state.

He explained that the projects are testimonials to what is possible when there is unity of purpose between the Executive and the legislative arms of government, commending Senator Bamidele’s commitment to grassroots development, dedication to service, and relentless pursuit of initiatives that directly impact the people.

While expressing his gratitude to Senator Bamidele, the Governor lauded the Senate Leader’s proactive approach to governance and his ability to mobilize resources to effectively implement impactful projects that uplift the socio-economic status of the people.

Governor Oyebanji reiterated his administration’s support for the projects and pledged continued collaboration with National Assembly members to advance sustainable development in the state, adding that he was confident that with the Senator’s visionary leadership and collective efforts of all stakeholders, Ekiti would continue to experience greater strides in development and prosperity.

“I am excited, happy and extremely grateful to God for this partnership that is working in the interest of Ekiti people, like the Senate Leader said, this is what we have when there is unity of purpose and collective ownership of vision to develop the state. A vision to run with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, and this tells me that I need to dig deeper in ensuring that there is continuous unity among the stakeholders in the National Assembly, “ the Governor said.

Earlier in his remarks, Senator Bamidele who thanked the Governor for his support and cooperation in realizing various development projects, said the purpose of the inspection is to assess the progress and impact of the projects across his constituency.

The Senate Leader, while emphasizing the significance of teamwork between the executive and legislative arms in driving positive change and progress in the state, restated his commitment to representing the interests of Ekiti people and working closely with the state government to address the people’s needs.

Senator Bamidele attributed various development projects in the state to purposeful and exemplary leadership provided by the Governor and assured the people that he would continue to work tirelessly to ensure the advancement of the interests of the people and promote development within the state.

“Part of the reason why this is going on is because am at peace with myself, am at peace with the state government and I don’t have any reason to want to isolate myself from what the state government is doing and we thank God Almighty”. He asserted.

Projects inspected included EKSU internal roads and the newly built medical student’s hostels, the newly built state Library in Ado Ekiti, the Mini stadium and sports complex in Erijiyan Ekiti, Intensive Care Unit and Amenities Center at Aramoko General Hospital, Ijero township road, newly built Iyin Ekiti General Hospital Intensive care Unit and Amenities Center, Iyin – Ilawe road, among others.

 

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Infrastructure: FG Approves Dualisation of Ado-Ikare Road – Bamidele

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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After three decades of outright neglect, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has revealed that the federal government has approved the dualistion of Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Akoko road, a 31-kilometre highway that connects Ekiti State to Federal Capital Territory through Ondo, Edo and Kogi States.

The highway, according to the senate leader, was equally captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act purely enacted to implement strategic infrastructure projects that will create limitless opportunities for Nigerians across 36 states of the federation.

He spoke about the road reconstruction during a feedback session with one of the country’s foremost legal icons and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola on Monday.

The Ado-Ekiti-Ikere-Akoko, one of the 12 federal roads connecting Ekiti State to Kogi, Kwara, Ondo and Osun States, has suffered neglect even before democratic transition in 1999.

With Bamidele’s intervention, however, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the dualisation of the road considering its strategic significance to Ekiti and other states directly and indirectly bordering it.

Other federal roads that connect Ekiti to Kogi, Kwara, Ondo and Osun are still deplorable and dilapidated, seriously begging for the attention of the federal and state governments.

Among others, the roads include Ifaki-Otun road, Ifaki-Ilasa-Omuo road, Ado-Ikere road, Ado-Ijan-Ikare road, Ado-Iyin-Aramoko road, Aramoko-Efon-Ijebu Jesa road, Efon-Iwaraja and Otun-Erinmope-Odo Owa road.

At the session on Monday, Bamidele revealed that the dualisation of the Ado-Ekiti-Ikare-Akoko road was captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act and its reconstruction would commence before the end of this financial year.

He explained that the reason for the dualisation of the road “is due to the volume of traffic on this inter-state highway that connects Ekiti to Abuja through Ondo, Edo and Kogi States. It is a decision taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Aside, it is not only that the road was captured in the 2024 Appropriation Act. The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi has identified it to the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works as a priority federal road, whose reconstruction must take off this fiscal year.

“The federal government has already commenced the design of the road because what was decided was that the road should be dualised from Ejigbo in Ado Ekiti up till 31 kilometres to Ikare Akoko. We will continue from there as a single lane.

“The reason for dualisation is due to the volume of traffic on this corridor. When fully executed, the road will stand the test of time. This was a decision taken not just by the minister, but also by the president, who has tremendous respect for you.”

Bamidele, also, recounted how thousands of students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti trooped out on Monday to protest the deplorable condition of the Ado-Ekiti-Ikare-Akoko road.
Sadly enough, according to the senate leader, the protesting students did not know the federal government had already awarded the contract to dualise the 31-kilometre road.

In his response, Babalola expressed delight about the dualisation of the Ado-Ekiti-Ikare-Akoko road, noting that the news of its reconstruction was the news of the year to him.

He said the news about the dualisation of the primary road directly connecting ABUAD with other parts of the federation “is the news of the year to me in particular and Ekiti people in general.”

Babalola also spoke about the state of Ekiti Airport, lamenting how the airport was inaugurated before former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi completed his second term.

Since the inauguration of the airport project, however, the legal icon observed that no plane had land there due to the failure of Fayemi’s administration to complete the project.

He said: “I am currently financing the completion of the abandoned airport. The airport was inaugurated, but no plane can land there. I am currently financing the airport project to make it functional.”

He, therefore, urged the senate leader to support Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, noting that both of them “are absolutely committed to the development of Ekiti State.”

 

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FEC Approves N75bn Nigerian Youth Investment Fund Restructuring

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President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved restructuring the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund with additional provisions for it.

This was revealed by the minister of youth development, Jemila Bio Ibrahim after a meeting of the council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

She said the N75 billion fund, which was originally established in 2020, will now be institutionalized.

According to her, it will receive N25 billion from the 2024 supplementary appropriation while the central bank of Nigeria will release additional N60 billion to it.

She said: “Secondly, the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, initially established in 2020, has been restructured and institutionalized through a legal framework.

“The fund, initially set at ₦75 billion, will now receive ₦25 billion from the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act and an additional ₦25 billion from the 2024 Appropriation Act. Additionally, ₦60 billion will be released from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s SME Investment Fund, focusing on agricultural investments. “These measures aim to support young businesses and stimulate economic growth.”

Jamila also said that FEC approved the institutionalization of a 2% youth quota in all government appointments and women representation of 30%.

“I’m delighted to brief the gentleman and women of the press that we have received Council’s approval to institutionalize a 2% youth quota, a third percent representation of young people in all government appointments and an equitable young women representation inclusive of this 30%,” she said.

According to her, it will go a long way in addressing “the long marginalization and exclusion of young people in decision making, and will also go a long way to encourage young people to participate in decision making processes and in civic engagements.”

 

 

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