Samuel Ortom, Benue governor, has described the anti-open grazing bill as a progressive idea practiced globally.
Debunking the opinion that the state government is aggrieved with the Falanis, Ortom pledged to provide lands for herders that are willing to work within the state through ranching.
The governor made his pledge while speaking at the 72nd birthday of Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico.
Ortom, represented by Dennis Ityavyar, the education commissioner, said the state is in favour of livestock business done through ranching.
”The Tiv people are historically the friends of the Fulanis and I like to submit that, that friendship still exists. And so, I warn those people, who are either using politics or those who are criminals and trying to sell what’s wrong to people.
”His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom has explained again and again that we, Benue people are not against Fulani. We’re still friends.
”He has taken a decision now to be deliberate in explaining to people that the establishment of the anti-open grazing bill or law is a very progressive idea which is done in almost all countries of the world.
”Those who have a lot of cattle are still using ranching, and any Fulani person who wants to establish ranching in Benue will have the land. Even if our ‘Chairman’ wants to start a ranch, he will get the land today,” he said.
”We will give you land and start the ranching today so that people will see it as a model and wherever we go, we want to correct the impression because if you read history, you will see that we have always been friends with Fulani.”
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