News in Brief:
– Nigerian Senate will hold a national summit to address the ongoing farmer-herder clashes.
– The aim is to find a lasting solution through stakeholder discussions, with proposals ranging from banning open grazing.
In a move signaling hope for a permanent resolution, Nigeria’s Senate has resolved to convene a national summit to address the ongoing clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
The summit will bring together stakeholders and individuals to find a permanent solution to this recurring issue. An ad-hoc committee is in the process of being formed specifically to address the issue.
Meantime, the decision follows a motion presented by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) during a plenary session. The senator highlighted a recent clash in Omala LGA, Kogi State, that claimed over 500 lives and resulted in significant property destruction.
The motion further emphasised the plight of survivors displaced by the violence, struggling to rebuild their lives with limited resources and facing increased numbers of out-of-school children.
Additionally, Senator Jibrin urged the Senate to encourage the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide relief materials and support for the affected communities’ rehabilitation.
He also proposed government aid to empower women and youth in the region to revitalize their economic activities.
The motion sparked debate among senators. While some, like Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-west), advocated for a law banning open grazing practices, others, like Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), favored a national summit to explore the root causes and potential solutions.
The call for a national summit received further support from Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West), who highlighted the persistent violence in his constituency.
Former Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North), also backed the summit while urging the government to prioritie funding for security agencies.
