No land for cattle colony in Oyo State ―Ajimobi

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has regarded the cattle colony proposal of the Federal Government as tantamount to resurrecting the days of colonisation and contradicting the principles of federalism as contained in the nation’s constitution.

Speaking on Thursday at Government House, Ibadan, when the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and some other traditional rulers visited, Ajimobi said the state would only make its land available for ranching and not cattle colony.

Drawing from cattle rearing practice in some other countries across the world, Ajimobi said the nation must move with modern times where cattle remained in an enclosed area without indiscriminate encroachment of peoples’ lands.

Alluding to the federalism principles which gave states control over their land and resources, he urged the federal government to rethink its cattle colony proposal.

“We don’t accept cattle colony in Oyo state as it is tantamount to colonisation. We cannot allow ourselves to be colonised and must move with time. Cattle rearing by the Fulanis is business, so why do we have to give out land for their business. It is a pointer to the fact that federalism is not in Nigeria.

“Do we give land to those involved in poultry across the country for their business? Why then should that of those rearing cattle be different? South Africa and other countries that have cattle more than we do don’t allow cattle roam. In fact, allowing cattle roam deprives them of needed nutrients hence they don’t produce bountiful quantity of milk.

“Our position is to support controlled ranching, under which we will provide land and other facilities for good cattle business as well as breeding. Those wishing to rear cattle will use the facilities at moderate cost and they only move their cattle from the ranch to the abattoir or slaughter slabs.

“The governor is the chief security officer of the State yet he has no hold of the police. That is another problem we have with our type of federalism. Nigeria needs true federalism. We will keep talking about it until it materializes. It was true federalism practised in the days of Obafemi Awolowo that brought about a lot of development in the country,” Ajimobi said.

He, however, said it was gladdening to note that the state was among the committee of the federal government to examine ways of ending herdsmen/farmers’ clashes.

Speaking in the same vein, Oba Adeyemi argued that the constitution endowed states with control over land and power to give and determine what its land should be used for. He said the traditional rulers in the state were in support of making land available for ranching and not cattle colony.

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“We appreciate the governor for his forthrightness on standing for the right of the downtrodden, especially the people of his state. The federal government does not own land, it belongs to the state. So, if truly we are practising federalism, federal government should not be collecting Value Added Tax on businesses in Ibadan, while the state struggles to provide facilities for the same businesses.

“Our own people are not cattle rustlers. We vehemently say now that we stand against cattle colony. We support our governor on its stand on ranching and against colony,” Oba Adeyemi said.

Oba Adeyemi was accompanied on the visit by the Iba of Kishi, Oba Aweda Lawal; Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonlaa, Ona-Onibode, Oba Rasheed Anikulapo; and Olokaka of Okaka, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunji.