A call has gone to Nigerians especially farmers and herdsmen to live in peace with one another irrespective of their differences. Making the call is the Ogun State Director of National Orientation Agency, Mr. Sola Babalola at a sensitisation programme tagged “Building a people of Peace” organised by the Agency and held at the Secretariat of Ketu Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), Tata in Yewa North Local Government Area of the State.
Mr. Babalola who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Gbenro Adebiyi, Deputy Director, (Programmes) said though Nigerians do engage in different forms of businesses to earn their living, like farming and cattle grazing as we have in communities around here, we should endeavour to co-exist without necessarily constituting threat to one another irrespective of our business involvements. He equally enjoined the people to forget all forms of ethno-tribal /religious considerations as basis for our co-existence as a people as this cannot get us anywhere. He stressed the need for all Nigerians to live together as a people and shun all actions and activities that could mar our togetherness.
The NOA boss admonished Nigerians that development can only thrive in a peaceful environment, he therefore called for peaceful co-existence among the residents of the area and the herdsmen. While speaking on Farmers and herdsmen clashes that are very rampant in the area, Mr. Babalola urged the two to work together in unity and explore comparative advantages of each other for a symbiotic relationship that will promote development of the country.
In his address, the Executive Chairman, Ketu LCDA, Hon. Moses Adegbite called for increased government support to the newly created LCDA and charged the participants to take the messages of peace delivered at the forum to nooks and crannies of the area. He appreciated National Orientation Agency for bringing the programme to the area and pledged the LCDA support for the Agency.
Also, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ketu LCDA, Mr. E.U Olawoyin called on Baales to collaborate with the farmers and Fulani herdsmen and report unpleasant occurrences and attacks to the police.
In his own remark, the Onijoun of Ijoun HRH Oba Rasak Adewuyi called on the farmers to be vigilant and monitor their farms in order to prevent cattle from damaging their farms but try as much as possible to avoid violence.
Other dignitaries at the programme include Onigua of Eggua, HRH Oba Michael Alabi Dosunmu, National General Secretary Miyetti Allah, Alhaji Isah Madu, Alademeso of Igan Alade, HRH Oba Engr. Gabriel Olalowo, and Baales (heads of towns and villages) from the LCDA.
At the end of the programme, participants agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding as initiated by NOA with a view to steming the tide of incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the area.