President Bola Tinubu has given two weeks to find a solution to the clash between farmers and herders in the country.
The farmers and herders clash has cost the lives of farmers and large parcels of farm produce in several states as the cattle and their herders invade the farmlands to consume crops worth millions of naira.
Tinubu made this known on Monday in Minna during inauguration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport and mechanised farm implements purchased by the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago.
The president, who expressed dismay that the country has not been able to end the farmers-herders clash, said, “Let us reorganise; I know what it means as economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops and vegetation of our farmers. I know what it means; I know it could be painful.
“When we reorient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, the problem will be solved. You are the governor who must provide us the land, I, as the president, I am committed to giving you in two to three weeks time a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem.”
Tinubu, who said that he came to Minna to kick start the Niger State agro-processing development growth, appealed to state governors to pay state workers their wage awards.
In his remarks, Bago reiterated his commitment to pursuing his agricultural and infrastructure development agenda to a logical conclusion.
He noted that the state’s infrastructure, especially the Minna Airport, was in a state of collapse before the inception of his government.
“We gather to celebrate a good example demonstrated in our modest contribution to infrastructure and agricultural development as encapsulated in our New Niger Agenda.
“For us, agriculture is key to our commitment to addressing the challenges in critical sectors of our economy, and we shall seize every opportunity for the attainment of growth and engender prosperity for the people of our beloved state and, by extension, our dear country, Nigeria.
“As a government, we couldn’t fold our arms and allow the ugly picture it creates in the minds of visitors to subsist. Hence, in recognition of the importance of this critical infrastructure, the State Government took responsibility for its completion.
“Today, I am proud to announce that the Minna International Airport is completed and renamed as Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport which you just graciously commissioned,” he said.
