Fayose Releases Detained Cows, Orders Herdsmen To Register With Government Within 14 Days
BEVERLY HILLS, November 3, (THEWILL) – Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has ordered the immediate release of the nine cows detained by the state for contravening the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Law back to their owners.
Fayose gave the order following a stakeholders' meeting with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Ekiti and Southwest, traditional rulers and Fulani Community.
The meeting witnessed the signing of a peace pact with the the governor and MACBAN which promised that its members will abide by the new law regulating grazing in Ekiti State and coexist peacefully with farmers and residents.
Fayose alos declared that all cattle breeders operating in Ekiti State are to register with the traditional rulers of their host communities within the next 14 days after which the registered names would be forwarded to the state government for data keeping.
“I have decided to release these cows to strengthen our union. So, I expect you to comply with the law because after now if you contravene the law, we will take appropriate sanctions against you,” Fayose said.
“You can't because you are rearing cows be destroying our farmlands. Our people rely on these farms to survive and the moment you are destroying them, then they will not be interested in going into farming and hunger will affect all of us.
”You are all my brothers and there is no reason to trouble you. Many of you have been here for long and your families are here too. Ali Garba from Malumfashi , Kaduna State was part of my first term administration and currently an Igbo man is a councillor in Ward 10 of Ado Local Government.
“What we are doing today is to ensure a peaceful relationship between you, your host communities and the state government.
“Those killed in Oke Ako are gone and can't be alive again and we should not allow a repeat of such terrible incident. Ekiti people buy cattle from you and you are making profits.
“We are not asking for much, just for you to obey our law. The law is not targeted at those who obey the law. You have to register with traditional ruler of your host community.
”It is you who will inform the monarch of new faces coming to join you or pretending to be herdsmen. Going armed will not be tolerated. No form of weapon is allowed in Ekiti State for cattle rearing.
“A company will be monitoring your activities from the air. They have done air surveillance of Ijero Forest Reserve and we saw some buildings deep down the forest. We must all be security conscious.”
Fayose however threatened to deal with anyone who harasses the cattle rearers while doing their legitimate businesses, urging them to always report directly to him any case of intimidation and oppression against their members.
Story by Oputah David