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A foundation member and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has advocated that modern ranching of cattle, goat, sheep and pigs, is the answer to addressing the existential threat to national unity, demonstrated by frequent clashes between farmers and herders in different parts of the country.
In a commendation letter to the Livestock Reform Committee, he said farmers/herders clashes could be fingered as the reason the country’s food basket communities are dysfunctional, and the main reason the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP), which gulped billions of Naira failed woefully.
He, therefore, advised the Committee to consider that ranching has fundamentally changed over couple of years, with features of complex top technologies and humane facilities like cattle cages, veterinary clinics, schools, and residential houses, showcasing modern ranching model as far better than the archaic grazing routes allegedly on the table.
Okechukwu urged President Bola Tinubu and Professor Attahiru Jega, co-chairmen of the Livestock Reform Implementation Committee in the interest of national unity, harmonious existence and prosperity, to adopt modern ranching model as the solution provider to avoid roaming animals, especially cattle that ravage crop farms.
He commended Mr. President for exploring a lasting solution to farmers/herders existential pandemic, which has polarised the countrymen, bred unprecedented insecurity, uncountable loss of lives, abject poverty and hunger.
He advised President Tinubu to finance the Renewed Hope Livestock mega project, not only from the national emergency fund, but also to go ahead and borrow, if need be, to fund modern ranching in voluntary states; as the loan, if prudently managed, will repay itself.
Olu of Warri bags award in UK as wife advocates reshaping of cultural value, identity
The Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, has stated that the imperative of the black continent to continue to propagate positive cultural and traditional values with the objective of reshaping the identity of the continent, is sacrosanct and cannot be over-emphasised.
She said since her husband, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, ascended the exalted throne of his forebears, he has taken notable positive steps to change the negative traditional connotations that portray others as inferior, adding that one’s identity must be maintained in dignity and pride.
Olori stated this when she delivered a keynote address with the theme: “Africa’s Sustainable Future: Redefining its Global Identity,” at the 14th African Achievers Awards (AAA) at the Parliament House, United Kingdom, insisting that “stories we hear and tell about us have a far reaching effect.”
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She noted that in addressing some of the challenges, Atuwaste III and herself founded ‘Elevate Africa’ in order to contribute their quota to channelling African ideas into solutions for the continent and the world, just as she tasked other change-makers to come together and speak with one voice.
She said: “I’m here to share my thoughts with fellow lovers of our great continent. My husband and I share your passion, so it feels fitting that I should start by telling you something he did a few years ago.
“As the king of the Warri Kingdom, he had long been burdened by how certain traditional terms of identity had taken on negative connotations, promoting segregation. So, he boldly changed those long-used terms to ensure everyone is seen and identified as freeborn. He also explained why redefining our communal identity mattered, and his words still echo in my mind. He said some weeks ago, while speaking in London, I talked about how my heart sometimes skips when I hear an African country mentioned in a movie or show. I brace myself up, wondering if it will be yet another negative portrayal. Unfortunately, time and time again, some Africans and the rest of the world have produced the outcomes of these seeming ‘prophetic’ narratives.
“But, when someone mentions ‘the city of love,’ Paris immediately comes to mind. These examples might seem small, but they’re a stark reminder of how powerful identity and narrative can be.
“We must come together, trade together, build solutions together, and speak with singularity on the global stage. We must stop saying what Africa does not want and we must begin to speak to who we are and what we want for ourselves and for our continent.”
The event witnessed the presentation of the Leadership & Community Development awards to Atuwatse III, by Baroness Verma, member of House of Lord, London.
Verma expressed joy that Africans have taken up the responsibility to shape the continent by telling their stories the way it should be and not as others want to see it.
The awardees included Visu Thembekwayo, founder/CEO MyGrowth Fund venture partner, South Africa, and Caleb Muftwang, Governor of Plateau State (Excellent & Outstanding Leadership) category.
Others were Moses Bliss (Excellence in Contemporary Music) category, Abena Opong-Asane, Minister for Implementation, United Kingdom, Sam Shivute, Chairman, Namibia Revenue Agency, and member of parliament for Mafinga Constituency, Zambia.
