The Zonal Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Enugu State, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, has praised Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the prevailing understanding between farmers and nomadic herdsmen in the state, noting that his “ingenuous” solution has resulted in an enduring peace and prevented skirmishes.
Alhaji Siddiki who spoke during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu, said it’s gratifying that clashes between farmers and herdsmen which were quite common before the inauguration of the Ugwuanyi administration has been reduced to the barest minimum.
The cattle breeders’ chairman explained that the governor’s decision to set up a peace committee yielded several proactive steps which helped in nipping potential conflicts in the bud. “I thank Governor Ugwuanyi for taking a bold initiative that has brought the lingering problem to an end,” he said.
A representative from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mohammed Ahmed, also lauded Governor Ugwuanyi for revitalizing the state’s agricultural sector.
“The way you handled farmers and herdsmen crisis has shown that you are a peacemaker and one who knows the importance of agriculture to socio-economic development,” Ahmed said, adding that the visit was aimed at sensitizing herdsmen and their host communities on the imperatives of peaceful co existence.
Responding, the governor said that the peace committee was necessitated by the realization that both farmers and herdsmen are critical to any society’s growth.
Governor Ugwuanyi who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, said: “we all know the importance of farmers and herdsmen; the two are working for the country and without them everybody will be in jeopardy”.
He commended the group for the sensitization visit which he noted is “more urgent because of the ongoing farming period”, and assured them of his administration’s continued goodwill.
