The Paramount Ruler of Iwo land, Osun State, Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has rejected plans by the Federal Government to acquire land for grazing colonies for herdsmen in the country.
The monarch made his feelings known during a meeting in his palace to find a solution to the crises that have led to killings by herdsmen across the country.
Mr. Akanbi said open grazing is barbaric and should be abolished by the government because it does not conform to the demands of development in the 21st century.
He argued no progressive government would encourage open grazing and further noted there is nowhere in the world where government acquires land on behalf of herdsmen for the purpose of cattle grazing.
The traditional ruler argued herdsmen can either rent, lease or buy lands for pen/byre construction to house their cattle, adding that it is, however, at the farmer’s or the owner’s discretion to sell to land.
The Oluwo said, “The herdsmen got it wrong due to lack of education towards animal farming in the 21st century. The alternative to grazing is a pen with sufficient hay storage.
“This will help restrict the cows to the confines of the pen- which is a controlled area. That is how it is done in the advanced countries. You can never see herdsmen grazing cattle in Europe.
“The herdsmen can even purchase hays to feed the cows can be purchased from the farmers thereby establishing and sustaining a peaceful affinity with farmers across Nigeria,” he added.
The monarch, therefore, advised the federal government that the solution to Fulani herdsmen/farmers recurring clash is a proper orientation and education on modernised animal farming.
He argued that it is not the responsibility of the government to acquire hectares of land on behalf of herdsmen as grazing zone across the federation.
Heavily armed herdsmen have invaded, killed and occupied swathes of farmlands and communities across the country.
The recent killings of over 73 persons in Benue State including women, children and the aged sparked nation-wide condemnation.
It was part of the reasons former President Olusegun Obasanjo, during the week, wrote to President Muhamadu Buhari, accusing him of failure.[
