Herdsmen under the umbrella of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), yesterday, appealed to governors of the 36 states and other leaders in the country to convene a meeting to enable them to review the ban placed on open grazing by Southern governors.
Chairman of MACBAN in the South East, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, who made the appeal on behalf of the group, explained that although the Southern governors took a decision which they considered best for their people, there was however a need for dialogue to enable all leaders to make inputs that would serve the interest of all stakeholders.
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He suggested that instead of the straight ban on open grazing by the Southern governors, a middle course should be taken to douse tension in the country, particularly in Southern Nigeria.
Explaining what he meant by middle course, Siddiki said that it was simply be the coming together of leaders of the South and North to chart the way forward for an improved and more modern mode of livestock keeping.
‘It will douse tension and the heightening tension across the north and south and give sufficient room for a gradual adjustment that will be beneficial to the generality of Nigerians. Neither the northern nor the southern political leaders should call the bluff of the commoners whose surface interpretation of the situation has the tendency of brewing misgiving, rancor, and avoidable friction across the board,’ he said.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK