Punch News reports that Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State, has threatened to impose punishment on herders who let their livestock to graze outside of approved areas. Oyebanji stressed that in order to ensure food security and sufficiency, it is the state’s duty to shield crop farmers from harm caused by cattle.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Addressing traditional rulers on Friday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the federal and Ekiti State governments for upgrading the State Specialists Hospital, Ikole to a Federal Medical Centre, Oyebanji stated, “It will not be good for our people to farm and at the point of reaping, that some people will bring cattle to graze.”
The governor publicly sent a message to cattle rearers through traditional rulers, warning that the state would pursue violators. “We will provide a grazing area for them and they should stay where we allocate. I have given officials two weeks to designate a place for them, and any cattle rearers who leave the designated area will face consequences,” Oyebanji said.
Oyebanji also urged traditional rulers to prioritize security, reminding them of the recent killings of two monarchs by bandits in the local government area. “We must not allow that to happen again. It seems we have forgotten and are relaxing. So I am challenging our royal fathers today; we can address this together because some of these herders are close to you,” he added.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
