Governors in Southern Nigeria have banned open grazing of cattle across states in the region and urged the President to address Nigerians on the state of the nation.
The Governors made this announcement on Tuesday in a meeting at Asaba, Delta State Capital,. They also called for the restructuring of the country to address increasing agitations in different parts of the nation, while restating their commitment to the unity of the country.
They were received by the host, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. Governors physically in attendance were the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Rivers State Governor, Nysome Wike; Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano; Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; among others.
In February, the Nigerian Governors Forum, representing all 36 states in the country, reached a consensus on the “need for the country to transition into modern systems of animal husbandry that will replace open, night, and underage grazing in the country.”
The ban on open grazing comes as herdsmen violence continues to be reported across the country.
Beyond the herdsmen crisis, the country continues to groan under diverse security threats, including but not limited to an insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and secessionist agitations in the South-East and South-West.