President Buhari Kick-starts Ranching In Home State, Approves Fund For Take Off

By Ayodele Oni

In a swift move, perceived as a trap to track dissenting States against cattle ranching, President Muhammadu Buhari has favoured Katsina State with a sum of N6. 25 billion approval to establish and develop ranching projects in the state.

Katsina is the home state of President Buhari and predominantly occupied by the Hausas and Fulanis.

The State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari broke the news at the commissioning of Zobe Regional Water Scheme.

According to him, already a sum of N5 billion has been released to the State for the take off of the Ranch.

Elated Governor Masari announced that “Mr President has graciously approved the sum of N6.25 billion for ranch development purposes in Katsina State.

“Part of this amount, N5 billion is already in the account of the state government and within few weeks you will see advertisements calling for interested companies and consultants that will participate in construction.”

The Federal Government has been dangling the option of establishment of cattle ranching before state governors as an option to roaming and destruction of farmlands by Fulani herdsmen.

Some States, especially in the southern part of the country have vowed to do everything possible to frustrate cattle ranching in their domains.

It was of their view that the move is an opportunity to take over community lands by the itinerant Herdsmen.

The Southern Governors, at its meeting in Lagos, early this month, set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States.

They had earlier, at a meeting in Asaba, Delta state, in May, resolved to ban open grazing in their respective states, a decision which generated reactions from the Attorney General of the federation, Mr Malami.