By Raphael Oni
The 17 Governors of the Southern Nigeria States have risen from a meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital with agreements on national nagging issues, reaffirming there committee to the Unity of Nigeria as a country.
In in a communiqué signed by all the Governors which reads in parts: “Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity”.
The Communiqué revealed that open cattle grazing be banned totally in the regions
They also resolved that the federal government should give support to any interesting states to develop cattle ranching. The Governors said in the communiqué that, “Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should support WILLING States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems;”
On the state of the nation, the governors agreed that the only way to end tensions in the land is total restructuring of the governance of Nigeria. This will also include resources control, state police and others to encourage efficiency.
The governors further called on the federal government to look into the distribution of Federal appointments in Ministries, Parastatals and agencies for equity saying that
Such equity is most needed in the security system of the country. The communiqué urges the Federal Government needs to look closely into causes of agitations in the different regions of the country and rather than the extreme use of force, there should rather be a national discussion where issues causing divisions among various divides of the country be thrashed out and resolved.
