South-West farmers, Miyetti Allah sign peace agreement

Farmers and herdsmen in the South-West, on Saturday, signed a peace pact to end clashes between the two warring groups and promote food security for the benefit of all.

The Coordinator of Commodities Farmers Organisation in the South-West, Segun Dasaolu, and the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Othman Ngelzarma, signed the peace pact on behalf of the two groups at a Commodities Farmers Organisation Summit, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Saturday.

The theme of the summit is ‘Sustainable Food Production in South-West Nigeria: The Way Forward.’

Speaking separately while signing the agreement, Dasaolu and Ngelzarma said the step became necessary to ensure that peace reigns in the zone in particular and Nigeria at large.

Dasaolu said, “The summit focuses on ensuring that the South-West farmers return to the farm, and also to promote food security in the country. This summit brings together farmers and herders across the six states in this region. This is to allow them to proffer solutions to challenges faced by both groups and the need for the government to carry us along in providing support, policy formulation, and assistance.

“We have signed the peace pact to put a stop to farmers/herders clashes. The first step we are going to take is to identify who are genuine herders in the South-West. We have also agreed together to collect or collate data in that regard.”

Also, the President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ngelzarma, said, “Nothing works when there is no peace. So, we will work with farmers to promote food security in Nigeria. We will also work in collaboration with them to fish out kidnappers in the South-West zone in particular and Nigeria in general.”

A former Governor of Oyo State and the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, and the Iyaloja General, who is also the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo were among notable Nigerians who witnessed the signing of a peace pact.