Lands Available For Fulani Herders In Benue — Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said he would not
hesitate to give land to any Fulani man who intends to do livestock
business through ranching.

Speaking in Abuja at the 72nd birthday of Prof. Iyorwuese
Hagher, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ortom dismissed the
insinuation that he is on a war path with Fulanis.

He said historically, the people of the state have always been
friends with the Fulani.

The governor reiterated that his government would not back down
on the anti-grazing law, arguing that ranching remains the best
practice.

Ortom spoke through his Commissioner of Education, Dennis
Ityavyar, at the event former students, friends and colleagues of
the celebrant put together in his honour.

He said, ”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 a ranching in Benue will
have the land. Even if our ‘Chairman’ wants to start a ranch, he
will get the land today.

”We will give you land and start the ranching today, so that
people will see it as 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.”

In an interview with journalists shortly after the programme,
the celebrant, who is a Professor of Theatre for Development,
called on well-meaning Nigerians to say the truth to power
always.

He said those scared of speaking the truth to power can do that
through Nollywood actors, who will put up the stories in acting and
present it to the leaders in parable.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said he would not
hesitate to give land to any Fulani man who intends to do livestock
business through ranching.

Speaking in Abuja at the 72nd birthday of Prof. Iyorwuese
Hagher, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ortom dismissed the
insinuation that he is on a war path with Fulanis.

He said historically, the people of the state have always been
friends with the Fulani.

The governor reiterated that his government would not back down
on the anti-grazing law, arguing that ranching remains the best
practice.

Ortom spoke through his Commissioner of Education, Dennis
Ityavyar, at the event former students, friends and colleagues of
the celebrant put together in his honour.

He said, ”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 a ranching in Benue will
have the land. Even if our ‘Chairman’ wants to start a ranch, he
will get the land today.

”We will give you land and start the ranching today, so that
people will see it as 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.”

In an interview with journalists shortly after the programme,
the celebrant, who is a Professor of Theatre for Development,
called on well-meaning Nigerians to say the truth to power
always.

He said those scared of speaking the truth to power can do that
through Nollywood actors, who will put up the stories in acting and
present it to the leaders in parable.