*Say Land Already Inadequate For Galloping Population
*State CAN Chair Honoured By Journalists
By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Reeling from years of violence and killings suffered at the hands of terrorist herdsmen, Christians in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria, have rejected the pilot ranching scheme proposed by the Federal Government (FG).
Abuja circled the proposal as a vital fresh plan to tame the persistent herder-farmer clashes over grazing lands which had claimed thousands of lives nationwide over the decades even as indigenous peoples have accused most of the herders as not merely seeking pasture, but outright territorial and religious annihilation of their hosts.
Acting Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede disclosed on Monday while receiving an award from the Legislative Writers Forum, National Assembly Abuja, that Christians in the terror-ridden state, which is predominantly Christian, were opposed to the ranching idea.
Rev. Ugbede noted that Benue land, as it stands, was grossly inadequate for the state’s fast growing population, insisting that there was, therefore, no space to give out for pilot ranching. He did not, however, state what the state’s current population figure is.
The Acting Chairman emphasized that the Church in Benue does not accept pilot ranching and that the state government was not even contemplating the issue, pointing rather to an unrepealed law against open grazing and ranch establishment.
He noted that instead of ranches, Benue people want all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state to be made to return to their ancestral homes and to take possession of their ancestral areas.
Ugbede lauded President Bola Tinubu’s government’s decision on the establishment of a Division of the Nigerian Army in Benue State, stressing that the gesture was not only commendable but also, when implemented, possesses the needed ingredient to crush all forms of insurgency and pave the way for peace and development in the state.
On the award he received, the Acting Chairman disclosed that he was humbled by it and appreciated the Legislative Writers Forum for finding him worthy of the award.
Dedicating the award to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Acting Chairman explained that any successes by CAN were due to what he described as the firm support of the governor.
Ugbede sued for support to enable the governor continue with more work.
Earlier, president of the forum, Mr. Odeh Agi, who was represented by Mr. O. Abraham, lauded the exemplary leadership style of the CAN leader, revealing that the forum had been privately following him and decided to come openly to identify with him, saying the honour should spur him to do more for society.
Other speakers at the ceremony including the Acting Secretary of CAN, Apostle General Mike Nkiri; Chairperson of Women Wing of CAN, Mrs. Cecilia Amishiave; and the YOWICAN leader, Barr. Bobby Tavershima, who all appreciated the forum for the honour done Rev. Ugbede, assured that more awards would come because of his leadership style.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Rev. Ugbede (m, with award plaque) and some members of the Forum after the award ceremony.
