The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has assured Fulani herdsmen of his administration's commitment to their welfare.
Bello during an emergency state security stakeholders' meeting at the government house, Lokoja, on Wednesday, said Kogi State will not follow suit in the enactment of anti-grazing laws, as others, including Benue State, saying herdsmen were welcome in any part of Kogi.
He asserted that the herdsmen can call their kinsmen displaced in other places, to Kogi.
One of the traditional rulers in attendance, Chief Ahmed Aku, who was earlier kidnapped by suspected herdsmen, had advised the governor to tow in the footstep of Benue and Ekiti governors.
"I will not enact any law to stop Fulani herdsmen from coming to Kogi State. I will not be part of any law that will forbid them from carrying out their normal business in Kogi State.
"Why don't we develop a law that will make us live together harmoniously and tap from our different economic values? "The next 'oil' this country is rediscovering now is agriculture. So if you don't want anybody to disrupt the farms, I beseech you to also allow the Fulani carry out their businesses," said Bello.
He directed the ministries to ensure that the Fulani were integrated into the traditional council area of all the local government areas of the state, saying, "There must, henceforth, be a representative of Fulani in the local traditional council.
"This must also be replicated at the area traditional council, while the secretary to the State Government must see that a Fulani representative is present at the state council.
"This will ensure that the Fulani are aware of, and are part of decision making in the state".
Credit: The Nation
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