TheCable

President Bola Tinubu has implored governors to provide land for grazing in their states in order to address the protracted farmer-herder crisis in the country.

Tinubu spoke on Monday when he flagged off the food security and agricultural mechanisation programme in Niger state.

The project is an initiative of the Niger state government. It would “focus on the deployment of technology for large-scale agro-value chain development”.

Tinubu said his administration is committed to ensuring food sufficiency and protecting local industries for sustainable economic growth in the country.

The president said if land for grazing is provided by governors, he is committed to providing a comprehensive programme that will solve the farmer-herders crisis within two or three weeks.

“We have seen the level of commitment here. We have seen leadership. The success of any leader will depend on the ability to do what needs to be done when it ought to be done,” Tinubu said.

“It is now time for us to address the challenges and make Nigeria an economy of opportunities. We must care for our people; re-orient our people. I do not see why Nigeria cannot feed all students in its schools.

“I know what it means as an economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops and the vegetation of our land. I know it is painful. But when we re-orient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, we can address that.

“You are the governors who must provide the land; provide us the land. I, as the President, I am committed to giving you, in two three weeks time, a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem.”

The president also appealed to sub-national governments, as an immediate intervention measure, to implement wage awards in their states.

He said this will complement the efforts of the federal government in easing the burden on citizens, pending when the minimum wage is increased.

Age-long clashes between farmers and herders, especially in Nigeria’s arid northern region, often lead to communal conflict, destruction of property, loss of lives, and displacement of whole communities — further exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis.