News
Reps Reject Proposed Cattle Colonies …As Police Nab Mastermind Of Benue Killings
Members of the House of Representatives at yesterday’s plenary adopted a motion preferring the establishment of ranches for Fulani herdsmen to the proposed cattle colonies.
To realise the objective, the members urged the Federal Government to work out modalities of the establishment with States interested in ranches.
The members also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to liaise with State Ministries of Agriculture to speedily educate and encourage the herdsmen on the benefits of ranching while mandating its Committee on Agriculture Production and Services to ensure its implementation.
Titled “Need to Educate and Encourage Herdsmen on the Benefits of Ranching instead of the Proposed Cattle Colonies in every State of the Federation”, the motion sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nassarawa State) was roundly debated by the members. Moving the motion, Onawo recalled that most of those clashes so far witnessed between the herders and farmers especially in Benue State stemmed from the practice of herdsmen roaming in the wild across the length and breadth of the country in search of grazing pastures for their cattle and as a result, trespassing into, and damaging crops in farms”, he said:
“The House notes the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers that have presented serious security challenges in Nigeria; “Aware that the grazing practice of the herdsmen is not only exposing them to danger as they fall prey to cattle rustlers and kidnappers, but also results in conflicts with farmers whose crops are trampled upon by the cattle;
“Also notes the Federal Government’s proposal to establish cattle colonies in every State in Nigeria to cater for the herdsmen and their cattle as a lasting solution to the continuous clashes which, in most cases, result in senseless and avoidable loss of lives and properties; “Concerned that the decision to establish cattle colonies in each State could be in violation of Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Land Use Act as those colonies will remain the exclusive reserve of the individual State governments and as such, would not guarantee total freedom to the herdsmen;
“Observes that cattle rearing is not an exclusive reserve of the Fulanis as other tribes also engage in the business; “Determined to provide a lasting solution to the incessant conflicts between herdsmen and farm owners, hence modern breeding practices should be encouraged; “Convinced that ranching will offer longer lasting solution to the recurring conflicts between herdsmen and farmers, if the herdsmen would be fully sensitized and educated about the benefits of the program, as it would enable them assume full ownership of those ranches”.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Ezikiel Adaji (Benue State) stated that ranching was the best practice the world over.
He said: “Ranching is the best practice all over the world. We cannot continue to witness these incessant killings.” Also speaking, Hon. Peter Akpatason (Edo State) intoned that “cattle rearing is purely a business.”
For Hon. Femi Fakeye (Osun State), “There is need for cultural shift. The herdemen need to be enlightened on the benefit of ranching.”
Fakaye’s position was corroborated by Hon. Joan Onyemachi Mrakpor who said that cattle business stood the chance of dividing Nigeria if quick solution was not found to the challenge.
“Until we come to make ourselves know that this is a business ..cattle business is going to divide this country. When there is a challenge in the homes, the best thing to do is to find solution. All over the world, the solution is ranching.
We travel abroad, we see it. I don’t think ranching is the problem. It is the willingness to do ranching”, he said. On his part, Hon. Nasiru Ahmed from Kano State however opposed the motion, arguing that ranches would be more expensive for the herders as prices of feed are high.
The Committee was given 8 weeks to conclude its assignment and report back to the House for further legislative action.
Meanwhile, barely 51 days after Fulani herdsmen invaded Guma and Logo council areas of Benue State, killing 73 people mostly women and children in the process, the police have arrested principal suspects in the unpredictable mayhem.
The four principal suspects, according to our source, were arrested in Tunga town of Nasarawa State between 16 and 19 February 2018 by Intelligence Response Team of the Force.
The suspects, according to the police, were nabbed in connection with the Killing of Sgt Solomon Dung and other police officers besides many innocent citizens in Benue State.
In the heat of the killings in Benue State, the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, had accused Nasarawa State of harbouring the killers in his state
Four persons have been arrested in Nasarawa State over the killings in Benue State, including those of policemen.
In the heat of the killings in Benue State, the State Governor, Samuel Ortom, had accused Nasarawa State of harbouring the killers in his state.
The accusation was promptly dismissed by the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, who said the state was not harbouring those carrying out the killing in Benue State.
However, operatives of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team were said to have arrested four of those involved in the Benue State killings in Nasarawa State following a directive by the IGP, Ibrahim Idris.
Idris had directed the arrest of all persons involved in the killings in Benue State and those in possession of AK47 Rifles and other prohibited arms.
The suspects were arrested in Tunga town in Nasarawa State between February 16 and 19, 2018 by the IRT in connection with the killing of Sergeant Solomon Dung and other Police Officers and many innocent Citizens in Benue State.
Those arrested were Alhaji Laggi, 40, the mastermind and gang leader of the herdsmen group; Mallam Mumini Abdullahi, 34; Muhammed Adamu, 30; and Ibrahim Sule, 32.
Suspects have confessed to the killings and mentioned gang members in possession of police rifles they took from the slain Officers and others in possession of arms.
“The suspects have confessed to the killings and mentioned gang members in possession of the police rifles they took from the slain police officers and others in possession of arms. “ Serious follow up is in progress in Benue,Taraba and Nasarawa states. “DIG Operations Who is heading the Operation have addressed the press on behalf of the IGP today In Makurdi Benue State,” the source said.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
