The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has said that lands will be given to any Fulani herdsmen who want to ranch their cattle in the State.
Speaking at the 72nd birthday of Iyorwuese Hagher, the former Nigeria Ambassador to Mexico, he said through his Commissioner for Education, Dennis Ityayvar who represented him at the event, that the Fulanis remain friends and not enemies.
Mr Ityayvar stated, “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.”
The commissioner added that “those who have a lot of cattle are still using ranching.”
“Any Fulani person who wants to establish a ranch in Benue will have the land. Even if our chairman wants to start a ranch, he will get the land today,” said Mr Ityayvar. “We will give you land and start the ranch today so that people will see it as a 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.”
