Agriculture
Igbo Patriots Reject Cattle Colonies
Igbo Patriots, an alliance of people of Igbo descent at home and in the Diaspora have called on Igbo leaders to reject the establishment of cattle colonies in Igboland as proposed by the Federal Government across the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Obumneke Ejimnkeonye Okafor, Coordinator; Com. Arthur Nwakanma, Secretary; Com. Ifeanyi Okonkwo, Publicity Secretary; and Mr. Chjioke Oham, Diaspora Link, the group, which is also an alliance of Igbo nationalities, said it had taken a closer look at recent and old acts of terror, intimidation and attacks on its people that are living and doing legitimate businesses in Nigeria, and concluded that some political, traditional and religious leaders of the geo-political zone have betrayed their trust by their actions and inactions.
The group expressed sadness that any leader from the South East could concede the giving out of land for the establishment of cattle colony, grazing area, grazing reserve or any other deceitful name that is or will be coined for it.
It affirmed: “We, Igbo Patriots, are against creation of cattle colony or similar establishment in any part of Igboland. It is obvious that we do not have enough land for our present and future projects and it is also obvious that there are large undeveloped fertile land in various parts of northern Nigeria, thus we wonder why Fulani herdsmen should be looking for colony in Igboland and beyond when Sambisa forest is, more or less, the size of five states in Igboland.
“Sambisa forest has rivers, streams, lakes, fertile land and good vegetation. It can serve as national cattle colony for over a century without being filled up with cattle. There are other vast land that can be used in north. So we should be spared our scarce land.”
The pressure group further encouraged Igbo leaders who are still sitting on the fence, especially elected leaders, to act like other bold Igbo, middle belt and southern Nigeria leaders by boldly telling the Federal Government of Nigeria that there is no land for cattle colony or similar establishment in Igboland.
“We expect the few Igbo leaders who favour this unthinkable act to ask the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop the incessant destruction of lives and properties of Ndi Igbo in the north and to stop creating bigger problems for us down south.”
Moreover, the group advised the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria to adopt modern cattle rearing methods that would irrigate grazing land in the north, slaughter and process the meat on site, and transport them to different parts of the country in refrigerated trailers as it is done in some African countries and beyond.
It observed: “Nigeria is not found among the top 20 nations in the world in cattle business and none of these top 20 nations that earn billions of dollars in beef and milk export are practicing cattle colonies or primitive cattle grazing. All the top cattle rearing nations are applying modern technology, thus Nigeria should learn from them.”
The group called on governments of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states to enact bills that prohibit open grazing. The bills, according to the group, will stipulate strong penalties for offenders. They will also prohibit establishment of cattle colony, grazing area, grazing reserve or any other similar establishment. Furthermore, the bills should empower state Governors to set up local taskforce that will enforce the law because incidents in some states showed that the Nigeria Police has not effectively enforce similar state laws.
Igbo Patriots said: “We want members of the states assemblies to be bold in doing their jobs because they have backing of the masses. If they fail to do their jobs this time, they will lose the goodwill they enjoy from the masses.
“We, also, want to inform all state Governors in Igboland that we are, closely, monitoring their activities in relation to giving out any portion of land for grazing. Any Governor in Igboland who goes against the will of our people by agreeing to give our land to the people that will eventually kill us and forcefully convert us to different faith will be regarded as enemy of Ndi Igbo.
“We will use all necessary legal measures to stop him. We will work with good elders of the land, relevant traditional and socio-cultural groups in Igboland to banish him and his family from our land.
“We have had enough of the arrogant, wicked, self-serving and dictatorial governors in our midst. You must be reminded that power belongs to the people.”
Besides, the group called on the Federal Government to desist from “indirect imposition of a hidden agenda on our people in the name of granting grazing rights and establishing cattle colonies in our land.”
According to it, “Ala Igbo is not available for grazing and we, definitely, cannot be colonised a second time. If the main motive of seeking for grazing rights and cattle colony is not to use Fulani herdsmen to recolonise Ala Igbo, we challenge the Federal Government of Nigeria to use the vast unoccupied land in northern Nigeria as national grazing reserve(s) for their cattle. Igboland cannot be a colony and the herdsmen and their cattle are not welcomed here.”
Agriculture
We engage in beneficial, community-oriented land acquisition for agricultural purposes – Enugu Govt
By Our Correspondent
The Enugu State Government says it only engages in a win-win land acquisition system for ongoing agricultural initiatives and programmes.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Mr Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, made this known to newsmen in Enugu, weekend, stating that “we engage in beneficial and community-oriented land acquisition for agricultural purposes only.”
Ubru observed that the state government,, by an executive order issued by the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, in 2024, committed to international best practices in agricultural land acquisition.
“By the Executive Order No. 001 of 2024 on the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) signed by the state governor, Dr Peter Mbah, the state government
had committed itself to international best practices in land acquisition for agricultural purposes,” he stressed.
It would be recalled that an online medium had published a report falsely accusing Governor Peter Mbah of moves to buy off some ancestral lands in Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo LGA and hand it over to non-indigenous herders for settlement.
The group also alleged that Governor Mbah had paid the sum of N30 billion to some leaders of Eha-Amufu community to secure the release their communal lands to the said herders for settlement.
Ubru however urged the people of the state to discountenance the report, describing it as “completely fake and mischievous ,” adding that “being a responsible and people-focused government, this administration would not undermine or short-change its people under any guise.”
The commissioner stated that the Executive Order had ensured transparency in land acquisition with the consent of the people and to the benefit of all within the same community.
He noted that the Executive Order is a public document that anyone may read in electronic or hard copy to understand how open and transparent Governor Peter Mbah’s visions and objectives are regarding land acquisition for agricultural purposes..
“The Executive Order ensures that land acquisition and resettlement for large-scale agribusiness investments are undertaken in line with international best practices and guaranteed shared benefits between private investors and host communities.
“The Government of Enugu State is desirous of deepening the state’s agribusiness reforms including delivering a win-win approach to all the relevant stakeholders on agricultural land matters and investment opportunities.
“The FRILIA Executive Order will enhance access to large-scale investments, gainful employment on large-scale farms, sufficient income, and protection from the volatility of agricultural labour and product markets.
“The Framework will ensure adherence to guiding principles covering overarching investment, recognition and protection of land rights, state land acquisition and resettlement, environmental and social responsibility,” he said.
The commissioner noted that in order to achieve the government’s objective of creating an enabling, responsible and inclusive business operating environment for large-scale agribusiness investments in Enugu State through FRILIA, the state government set up other mechanisms to back it up.
“The state government established the FRILIA Steering and Technical Committees with clearly defined functions and powers.
“Others are the establishment of a grievance redress mechanism; and development and adoption of FRILIA Toolkits/Guidelines/Policies or Equivalent,” he added.
Ubru said that Governor Mbah, being a leader with vision, had clear intentions and programmes to grow the GDP of the state from $4 billion to $30 billion.
He noted that the governor had taken time and opportunities to explain his vision of uplifting the people of the state out of poverty.
The Enugu State Government has warned members of the public, particularly individuals and companies involved in equipment leasing to exercise due diligence before leasing their equipments for illegal activities.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, the government said it would not hesitate to impound and auction any equipment leased to individuals or companies engaging in illegal activities that may impact government assets or interests such as construction, mining, agriculture, and others.
The statement further advised leasing companies to exercise due diligence in their search about companies and individuals and the purpose of leasing before releasing their equipments and other tools to them.
“Entities or persons that are engaging in leasing of equipments are obligated, as imposed duties, to approach appropriate government agencies and carry out background checks on the authenticity and authority of any person or company to engage in construction activities, agriculture, mining or any other activity that may impact government property or interest.
“Failure to carry out due diligence before leasing out equipments which turn out to be deployed for fraudulent activities will attract severe consequences as impounded vehicles, equipments and other materials will be auctioned,” the statement read.
Recall that the state government had previously lamented the illegal activities of some unscrupulous elements operating in the state without authorization, stressing the environmental and climate impact of the activities.
Foods
Twisco, Cowbell Choco & Miksi Choco World Chocolate Day Campaign Create Delightful Memories for Families
REPORTER: Sandra Ani
World Chocolate Day 2024 took on a delicious new meaning as the Promasidor brands – Miksi Chocolate, Cowbell Chocolate, and Twisco – brought lots of excitement for many chocolate lovers in Nigeria.
The World Chocolate Day 2024 celebration was Twisco, Cowbell Choco and Miksi Choco’s way of celebrating Chocolate in Nigeria, through recreational activities, fun games, painting and relaxation.
This year’s edition took place on Sunday May 7, 2024, in several locations across Nigeria, Ikeja City Mall, Circle Mall Lekki, Asaba Mall, Jabi Mall Abuja and PHC Mall.
Speaking, Lillian Omorenuwa, the brand manager for Beverage Category at Promasidor said “We’re excited to celebrate World Chocolate Day with kids and moms. Our powdered Choco beverages are the perfect way to indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of chocolate. We want everyone to “Get Your Choco On” while making the day a chocolate-filled celebration to remember”.
The incredible event demonstrated the brands’ dedication to injecting joy and excitement into Nigerian homes, even amidst challenging economic times.
It also underscored the versatility and health advantages of chocolate, especially Choco beverages, while offering a plethora of enjoyable activities such as a bouncy castle, face painting, puzzles, and more.
Commenting on the event, Olutayo Olukayode, one of the parents who graced the event commended the company for bringing such a relief and fun packed activities for the children. “I am impressed by what is going on here, although I came around for something else, and I saw this event going on because I came with my children. We should give credit to the organisers, particularly we enjoyed Twisco, Cowbell Choco and Miksi Choco delicacies.
Also speaking, Femi Oludele, another parent at the event noted that “Cowbell is celebrating World’s Chocolate Day, and creating awareness that there is a day specially marked out for people to celebrate chocolate day. It is good gesture from the brands to the children and everyone. This will allow the children to cool off stress and may also avail the parents and guardian also the opportunity to relax their nerves. So, it is a good and welcome development, and we thank Promasidor for Organizing it”.
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