TRANSLATED HAUSA VERSION OF THE BENUE STATE OPEN GRAZING PROHIBITION AND RANCHES ESTABLISHMENT LAW 2017
COMING SOON
Rhoda Nomhwange
The desire to implement activities of conflict and security issues across state borders through advocacy and sensitization has become priority for partners and organizations such as International Centre for Peace, Charities and Human Development (INTERCEP); a civil society Organisation with Head office in Jos Plateau State. This has necessitated an Advocacy Committee of stakeholders towards Planned Community Dialogue/Dissemination of the Translated Hausa version of the Benue State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, for peaceful Co-existence.
This was the unanimous decision of stakeholders’ in a meeting organized by International Centre for Peace, Charities and Human Development (INTERCEP) in Benue State with support from the Peace Direct an International Partner committed to supporting and strengthening local capacities for Peace and working to stop violence and build peace in communities globally.
The One Day Stakeholders’ meeting was held in Makurdi, Benue State on the 29th January, 2020 with the aim of Planning for Community Dialogue/Dissemination of the Translated Hausa version of the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 for peaceful Co-existence as stated by the Executive Director of INTERCEP Mr. Clement Iornongo. He stated further that INTERCEP has already secure airtime with Radio Benue to commence in March in propagating the advocacy on the rudiments of the law. The Nigerian Police has given its support for the peaceful initiative, while pledging commitment.
Members of the Advocacy Committee towards Planned Community Dialogue/Dissemination of the Translated Hausa version of the law include: Job Ishember, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Makurdi Branch, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, Rev. Akpen Leva, Dr. Yakubu Mariam of Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Jamatu Nasir Islam (JNI), Mallam Baba Ahmad, Representative of the Commissioner of Police CSP John Bauna, State Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Mr. Aondongu Saaku, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), State Programme Coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Traditional and Youth Leaders, President Cattle Rearers Association (Ardo Makurdi) Benue State and the organized media.
Participants pledged commitment to the project and agreed that while it is good to disseminate the translated Hausa version of the Law, it will also be good to translate the Law into other languages like Idoma, Etulo and Igede for proper dissemination of the law across board.
Similarly, the Advocacy Committee called for Women inclusion for gender inclusiveness; involvement of more partners with the Legal Unit so as to guarantee adherence to the law; involvement of more critical actions on the part of Government, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in championing the course of peace-building and to make the stakeholders understand the merits of the law.
Similarly, the Committee suggested that Livestock Guards should be included in the advocacy Committee so can also be adequately educated on the proper interpretation of the law. This is to avoid issues of human right violation. Herders should be educated on the need to obtain ranching permit. The International Centre for Peace, Charities and Human Development (INTERCEP) in collaboration with other Partners should train the Officers of the Security Agencies like the Police on the proper application of the law.
Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Advocacy Committee of stakeholders towards Planned Community Dialogue/Dissemination of the Translated Hausa version of the Benue State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, for peaceful Co-existence by the Makurdi Branch Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association.
