Now that Gov Ortom needs unanimous praises

Security of lives and property is key, in fact it is the primary constitutional responsibility of every government, be it Federal, State or Local government, security have also been identified as a major driver of sociopolitical and economic prosperity of a state or a nation, going by that, it is right to say that Gov Samuel Ortom deserve all the praise and accolade for his signature legislation, the open grazing prohibition law of the state government which was initiated and signed into law by the executive governor of Benue state on the 22^th of May 2017.

The open grazing prohibition law among other things, is aimed at initiating the idea of ranching which is a global best practice in the business of rearing livestock all over the world, the law also seek to bring an end to the incessant farmer / herdsmen crisis that has become synonymous with some parts of Benue state, it will also enable the state as well as the herdsmen community to ripe the economic and safety benefit of ranching as it will also prevent the dangers of open and indiscriminate grazing in the state.

  

Without playing politics, the open grazing prohibition law of the state government  initiated by Gov Ortom is laudable, is commendable and is monumental, considering the impact it seek to achieve for the overall good of the state, all parties including the opposition, critics of the governor,  Miyetti  Allah cattle breeders association, social media content writers and the entire people of the state ought to applaud and support the executive Governor to succeed in this endeavor, certain groups have re-coin the law as a quit notice to Fulanis’ in the state, which is a far departure from the original idea and such campaign of calumny and attention seeking for selfish gains, to the detriment of the generality of the people should be ignored.

The law if implemented successfully as intended, will bring about lasting peace to farming communities in parts of Agatu, Buruku and Kwande local government as well as other parts of the state that are susceptible to herdsmen and farmer clashes, it is also likely to serve as a workable template for other states in the country who are seeking ways of addressing same crisis situation in their state. 

Herdsmen / farmer crisis has been a major challenge and a security concern in Nigeria, which has taken thousands of lives and destroyed millions worth of property in different parts of the country, it is of no doubt, that Benue state have been at the epic center of this ugly menace and the Federal and the state government have sorted ways to bring lasting solution to the crisis. With great optimism, I posit that the open grazing prohibition law of the state government will help to bring lasting peace and coexistence between the people of Benue state and the herdsmen communities in the state. 

Jacup Ochulayi; writes from Abuja 

Jacupzulu@gmail.com