Farmers and herders in the South-West region of Nigeria agreed on Saturday to sign a peace agreement to put an end to conflicts between the two groups and to enhance food security for everyone.
At a summit held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the coordinator of Commodities Farmers Organisation in South-West, Segun Dasaolu, and the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Othman Ngelzarma, signed the peace pact on behalf of their respective groups.
Dasaolu and Ngelzarma, while signing the agreement, stated that it was important to ensure peace prevails in the region and the entire country.
Dasaolu emphasized, “The summit is focused on getting South-West farmers back to their farms and promoting food security in the country. It has brought together farmers and herders from the six states in the region.
“This is to enable them to propose solutions to the challenges faced by both groups and the necessity for the government to involve us in providing support, policy formulation, and assistance.
“We have signed the peace pact to halt conflicts between farmers and herders. The first step we will take is to identify genuine herders in the South-West. We have also agreed to collectively gather data on this matter.”
Ngelzarma, the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, also commented, “Nothing works without peace. Therefore, we will collaborate with farmers to enhance food security in Nigeria. We will also work together to identify kidnappers in the South-West and the entire country.”
Former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja, and the Iyaloja General, who is also the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, were among the prominent figures who witnessed the signing of the pact.
