Primate of the Church of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has urged the Federal Government to jettison the proposed grazing reserves, saying that creating such reserves might lead the country to another civil war.
Okoh made the call while delivering his Primatial Address to the 3rd session of the 9th Synod with the theme: “The Poverty of Riches” on Friday in Abuja.
He said that the notorious activities of herdsmen would make them automatic indigenes of all regions of the country.
“Apart from giving them, unwarranted special preference, it will lead to another civil war.’’
According to him, the church is in support of the establishment of ranches which represents the modern method of animal husbandry.
rather than grazing reserves.
“This is because the move treats a set of people with unwarranted special preference, making them indigenes of all regions of the country.
“There have been countless isolated cases of herdsmen brutality to their host communities.
“These notorious activities of herdsmen are capable of dragging the country into another civil war.”
He described herdsmen as private businessmen who take away all proceeds of their business, not sharing with either their host communities or the government.
Okoh also noted that in some parts of the country, people were already grappling with large population growth, adding that there was no vast land anymore.
“Nobody’s land should, therefore, be given forcefully to anybody under any guise because land does not expand.
“The synod calls on the National Assembly to drop the bill on grazing reserves as it is only heating up the polity.
“It will do no good to the herdsmen, their host communities or the government.’’
Okoh further commended the government for its efforts at reviving the nation’s economy, particularly the moves made to attract foreign investors to the country.
“I wish to say that creating an investment-friendly environment will practically give the country what it needs.
“Factors that investors will need to thrive, especially security, power and other amenities should be made available and investors will naturally be attracted,’’ the primate said.
