Politics
Federal Government Begins Cattle Colonies Next Week
The Federal Government says work will commence next week on cattle colonies in states that have indicated interest to establish them.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this on Friday during a visit to the Agriculture and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Ogbeh said that the National Economic Council on Thursday set up a 10-member committee comprising the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as Chairman and nine governors to facilitate the commencement of the cattle colonies in interested states.
“We are happy that we are making progress in agriculture now.
“One of the most topical issues we have today is that of farmers and herdsmen clashes.
“If we do not deal with it quickly, we run the risk of damaging the harmony and the co-existence of Nigeria as a country. The killings are getting too many.
“In our attempt to solve the problem, we have proffered certain solutions but perhaps we were not sensitive enough to Nigeria’s fragile sensitivities and suspicions.
“When we spoke of colonies, we were immediately greeted with reactions that this was an attempt to cease Nigeria’s land and give to the Fulanis to colonise.
“The intention is not for Fulanis or anyone to colonise any territory. It is to provide a haven for cattle to graze in peace under controlled environments to prevent the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen.
“Only yesterday, a committee was set up by the Vice President with members, most of them, state governors discussing this matter and resolving that states that are interested will begin work on this matter as soon as next week.’’
The minister said that the Federal Government would engage the services of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) to assist in the production of fodder for cattle.
According to him, open grazing is posing serious challenges and it is not too efficient for the cattle.
Ogbeh described open grazing as a `torture’ to cattle which usually do not enjoy long distance walks.
“It doesn’t allow us to harvest milk; the cows are not well fed. What is going on is almost torture to animals.
“If we can create a new environment for cattle, give them what they need, protect them from rustlers, the herdsmen will quickly discover that they are making far more money than what they are doing now,’’ Ogbe said.
Earlier, the Director of NAPRI, Prof. Clarence Lakpini, said pastoralists in the country had no fewer than 19.7 million cattle and 113.8 million sheep and goats which were currently grazing.
“We have a population of about 19.7 million cattle and total of 113.8 million sheep and goats. These are animals that graze and 90 per cent of these are owned by the pastoralists.
“These animals contribute a lot to the GDP of Nigeria. In fact, in the agricultural sector, it contributes 30 per cent of the National Agricultural GDP and of the National GDP, 3.2 per cent.’’
Lakpini also said that NAPRI had gone into partnership with various animal stakeholders to resolve the conflict between farmers and herdsmen across the country.
Ajulo Olalekan
January 20, 2018 at 9:09 am
Creating grazen collonies in 36 States will amount to creating army barracks in all d States. Nigerians should note. All Governors dat are interested in giving out their peoples’ lands free-of-charge wl regret at d end of d day.
Chukwuka Ifeanyi Fadawa
January 20, 2018 at 9:05 am
Apc…., cow….
Ajulo Olalekan
January 20, 2018 at 9:02 am
Creating grazen colonies in 36 States is creating a garrison or army barracks in 36 States. To be fore warned is to before armed.
Don William
January 20, 2018 at 9:30 am
Chief Audu Ogbeh, you are a disgrace to humanhood…we are watching
Andybest Bush
January 20, 2018 at 8:16 am
As you can see cow is giviving the FG sleepless night than while there citizens are dying in hunger , sickneses — shithole country
Ben Dike
January 20, 2018 at 8:10 am
Osibanjo is not of Christ. By the way what are all the tithe collectors saying. Are they implying that they don’t know that this is islamization in disguise.
John Nnamani
January 20, 2018 at 8:10 am
We should not forget that anywhere this people come to, before you know it, they will pack their people and full every where, no body should give them such chance, let them go to North, they have land mark more than other people in Nigeria.
Ebei Ibi
January 20, 2018 at 8:03 am
Let them start it in Buhari compound
Idam Sampson
January 20, 2018 at 7:52 am
Osinbajo is a disappointment to the body of Christ if he is in support of this evil agenda. He see uncontrollable crises if this happens.
Felix Smart
January 20, 2018 at 7:50 am
May fresh thunder fire your empty brain..
Idoko Jude
January 20, 2018 at 7:43 am
Nigeria real shithole a place where cow is mor value than human life
Joel Odilichukwu
January 20, 2018 at 7:41 am
Using our common wealth to finance personal interest (business). Nigeria how far!
Edeh Ifeanyi
January 20, 2018 at 7:40 am
He predicted it all but our foolish rulers ignored him and even planned his death.. Woe to you all
Shiloh Kenneth Sylvester
January 20, 2018 at 7:37 am
Jihad! Jihad!! Jihad!!!
When has cows turned to govt property over the lives of humans? Why not allow the cattle owners to take care of their cattle themselves..PMB you are just a shithole with no common sense…Owk so my fish pond now, why not give me fish colony?? Bastard who wants his evil agenda carried out at all cost…
Anyway, its not your fault, I blame those who voted you for change…I guess some have died during this your change….shithole pmb
Cristie-ijedinma Atuh
January 20, 2018 at 7:35 am
Don’t accept
Chisom Uzoma
January 20, 2018 at 7:32 am
WAR IS LOOMING…
Ada Nwankwo
January 20, 2018 at 7:31 am
Hmmm
Gabriel Ejoke Henry
January 20, 2018 at 7:29 am
They should use the Aso Rock for the cattle colony…..
Happy Coast
January 20, 2018 at 7:26 am
There’s Something Fishy About Buhari’s Plan to Establish Cow Colonies Nationwide
On Cow Colony in Nigeria.
What is a Colony?
A Colony is a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country. It is an administrative area within a country where the citizens who are from another country are governed by laws from their HOME country. A colony is semi autonomous from the country where it is located. The then Colony of Lagos was actually an extension of the UK in Africa.
The Cow Colonies measuring 5,000 hectares, which the Federal Government is proposing in each state as solution to the Fulani Herdsmen/farmers clash, is another word for internal colonization and is very dangerous.
Now, look at it this way. Herdsmen/Cow Colonies in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Osun, Bayelsa, Abia State or Enugu State, which the Federal Government is planning, will populate the Fulanis in those areas. It will also provide the Fulani with their schools (Islamic) and they will also have their own rulers who will lead them according to the Sharia law.
Is this not an attempt to make Fulani indigenous to Central and to Southern States?
What about the issue of Government using public fund to fund and support a particular tribe in their private business and using state power to forcefully take land from indigenous farmers and give to non-native pastoralists? Where will the children of the farmers expand to if they wish to continue in their parents trade?
Cattle getting more protection that humans inhabiting the agricultural lands
Fulani herdsmen well armed with AK 47 rifles as they drive their cattle through cultivated farmlands in Middle Belt region of Nigeria
Another matter is that of the ethnic tension which this internal colonization will surely bring. Happenings all over the world have shown that multiculturalism has failed whenever a radically divergent ethnicity cannot plant itself in the midst of similar ones and refuse to assimilate without creating tension. Planting another culture among people whose culture is stack different from theirs may breed conflict in the not too distant future.
What if they start clamouring for political space? Can you stop them in 20 years time from clamouring for a political ward so that their “indigenes” can vie for elections in those states?
The more one looks, the less one sees.
And since it is now smelling like fish, that also means it is fishy.
Felix Saro Nnaa
January 20, 2018 at 7:26 am
If we see any cows in our bush that one is a bush meat for us i trusted my tribe
Clinton Chimah
January 20, 2018 at 7:23 am
God forbid this kind of govt.
Uwakwe Micheal Ikechukwu
January 20, 2018 at 7:22 am
Apc should expect massive protest across the country
Martin Aghanya
January 20, 2018 at 7:22 am
Why is Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Gombe, Niger, Katsina, Bauchi, and Kwara not talking of adopting d ” Cattle Colonies?”. Or is it bcos dey are already Islamic states and would rather opin it goes to the Southern States as a new Fulani colonialism under d birth of Usman Dan Fodio d terrorist. We are watching
Samson Kanayo
January 20, 2018 at 7:21 am
Cow is now apc project
Chijioke Nwa Jioke
January 20, 2018 at 7:19 am
We are ever ready for them this time
Ebere Devine
January 20, 2018 at 7:18 am
jihadists has stated.
Ever Best
January 20, 2018 at 7:17 am
Ask them ooo. God pass them
Obioma Samuel
January 20, 2018 at 7:14 am
Cow now is a govt project not a personal business.. Shithole