Senate Adopts Sen. Dickson’s Call For Modern Ranching

The Senate has unanimously adopted Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s position that the federal government should provide funds for establishing ranches across the country in collaboration with states, local government areas and private businesses.

Sen Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, while contributing to the debate on perennial clashes between herders and farmers, said: “Animal husbandry is a legitimate business. Let’s use the opportunity of this motion as we deal with this every time. We should use this opportunity to mandate the committee, especially now that the President has established a ministry to deal with livestock issues.

“Let us mandate them to interact with the executive and develop a proposal for nationwide ranching. As a legitimate business, the Federal Government has to intervene and provide funding because these herdsmen are victims of the economic situation as well, carrying cattle from Sokoto State and trekking to Bayelsa, Lagos, and other states.

“The Senate Committee on National Security and the Senate Committee on Agriculture should interface with the executive arm, the newly established Ministry of Livestock, and the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a proposal for the Senate to consider regarding the establishment of modern ranches that are commercially viable and safe for both herders and locals across the country.”

He stated that these efforts should be undertaken with the states, local governments, and private businesses that want to invest in ranching. Sen. Dickson’s belief in ranching as a solution to open grazing, which is at the centre of the clashes between farmers and herdsmen, dates back to his policy 10 years ago when, as Governor of Bayelsa State, he suggested that the federal state, and local governments, along with businesses, should invest in ranches where herdsmen could keep their animals and operate their businesses. He also stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria should provide financing through loans.

In Bayelsa, herdsmen and their animals were assigned a location in Bayelsa Palms, where the police and civil defence provided security. There were water sources, an abattoir, veterinary services, a cattle market, and animal grasses. Bayelsa then announced stern measures against anyone illegally bearing weapons.

Sen. Dickson explained that since the Constitution provides for the freedom of movement of people and their goods and property, it would be illegal to ban herdsmen from moving with their animals. The Bayelsa policy has since become a state law.

Electoral Commission(INEC) has restored Sylvester (Sly) Ezeokenwa as chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and restored his name on its website.

INEC national commissioner and chairman of the information & voter education committee, Sam Olumekun, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Olumekun said the restoration complied with the Supreme Court’s recent judgement, which recognised Ezeokenwa as the party chairman.

“The Commission met today, Tuesday 17th December 2024. The meeting discussed the leadership issue in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which has been the subject of litigation.

“The Commission has been served with the Supreme Court’s judgement with Appeal No. SC/CV/824/2024 APGA & ANOR vs OYE & ORS, delivered on 27th November 2024, recognising Barr Sylvester (Sly) Ezeokenwa as the party’s Chairman.

“In compliance with the apex court’s judgement, the Commission has restored Barr. Ezeokenwa, as the Chairman of APGA, restored his name on our website accordingly,” the statement reads.