Farmers-Herders Saga: IBOT Visits Oluwo, Advises FG On Ranching Promotion

The apex decision making body in Iwo, Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT), has advised the federal government of Nigeria on ranching management and promotion to curtail frequent farmers-herders clashes in Yorubaland.

The board, while identifying with Oluwo on peaceful co existence, condemned open grazing as archaic as it urged herders to replace open grazing with ranching, saying the future of cattle rearing is not in the bush. Open grazing is anti civilization and anti development.

The body made the disclosure yesterday during its visit to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, to discuss peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in Iwoland. The body agrees with the Oluwo that the current situation in our country is palpable and requires synergy of all stakeholders particularly, traditional rulers. The body advises Oluwo to partner with his brother Obas to build a formidable synergy at tackling incessant herdsmen–farmers attack in the South-West.

A retired director in the federal ministry of forestry and an ex commissioner in the old Oyo state led IBOT delegates on behalf of the board’s president, Dr. Oluremi Atanda. IBOT, while commending President Muhammed Buhari’s government for his efforts on security called on Nigerians to join hands with the president and other stakeholders in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges. Governments at all levels are urged to prioritize ranching system to enhance harmonious living between herders and farmers.

The board described cattle rearing as a private business, noting there is no point in using such to disrupt others private enterprises. IBOT said Iwoland will set a template for harmonious peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers in the promotion of ranching and outright ban of open grazing.

Oluwo said such has been his campaign for long, appealing to government and stakeholders to facilitate modern ranching to meet international standard.

Oba Akanbi lauded IBOT leaders on their diligence and commitment to Iwoland’s development as he promised to continously appreciate the body’s advisory role in taking Iwo to greater heights. Oluwo promised more interactive sessions, consultations and useful engagements between the Palace and Iwo Board of Trustees.

We, the executives of the Iwo Board of Trustees, the apex socio elite decision making body in Iwo, led by Bola Asafa, came to identify with our father, the Oluwo of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, and map out strategy to achieve and promote harmonious peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in Iwoland”

“We have have met our revered royal father and briefed him on our move to ensure harmonious relationship between herders and farmers”

“We task the federal government led by President Muhammed to legislate on ranching and enact outright ban on open grazing. In Iwoland, we are laying a template for herders to raise their cattle in ranch and not traditional open grazing. We are peace loving and the immemorial peaceful atmosphere with the herders and farmers will continue to be lubricated”

Others in IBOT’S team include Pa Amos Onigbinde, a retired school Principal, Prof. Lai Olurode, a former INEC chief and a professor of Sociology at the university of Lagos, Dr. Mrs. Taiwo Adeagbo, a director in the ministry of education in Osun State, Alhaji Adigun Soladogun, a former Chairman of Iwo Action Council, (IWAC), Chief Lanre Hamzat and Alhaji Zuli Adigun, a retired director in the Federal Ministry of Education among others.