Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday signed the anti-open grazing law into law, ahead of the September 1 deadline for Southern Governors to do so.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, quoted the Governor in a statement as saying: “It is very pertinent to aver and indeed, reiterate that the Law shall rather, engender a more cordial, mutually benefiting relationship amongst residents of the State irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or creed. For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target,”.
“While it is the hope of Government that all residents would take ample advantage of this Law to enhance our socio-economic well-being in Ondo State, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention. Government shall pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance.
“In this regard, details of the new law shall be made available to the public for proper information, more depth of understanding on contents as well as other relevant areas.”
Attacks by armed herdsmen on farmers, local residents and other citizens in southern Nigeria have heightened the crisis in parts of the country. While governors of Nigeria’s 17 southern states say a ban on open grazing would help curb the crisis, their counterparts in the north are opposed to the measure.
The bill had previously been passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly.
