L-R: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu signing the Anti-Open grazing bill into law at the EXCO Chamber, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, September 20, 2021. With him is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).
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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, assented to the bill prohibiting Open Cattle Grazing and Trespass of Cattle on Land, signing the legislation into law 11 days after it was unanimously passed by the State House of Assembly and transmitted to the Executive arm for authorisation.
By implication, it is now criminal in Lagos for cattle rearers to occupy unapproved public areas and private land with their livestock for grazing. The law also prohibits the act of moving cattle round public places by herders.
The signing of the anti-open grazing law by the Governor followed the decision of Southern Governors’ Forum last August, setting the September deadline to pass the law across member States.
There have been crises witnessed in some States, resulting from alleged open grazing.
Although farmer-herder crisis is not pronounced in Lagos, the anti-open grazing law is expected to prevent the spillover of the menace into the State.
Sanwo-Olu, who assented to the bill during the State’s Executive Council meeting in Alausa, directed the security agencies to swing immediately into action and enforce provisions of the law.
He said: “By the powers vested in me as the Governor of Lagos State, I am signing the bill on Open Cattle Grazing and Trespass of Cattle on Land into law to prohibit issues associated with open grazing of livestock.”
The Governor also signed legislation transforming the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) into a full-blown agency.
The development coincided with the commemorative month dedicated to raising awareness on gender-based violence in the State. The Governor and members of the State’s cabinet wore attire with purple shades to support the campaign against sexual violence.
The DSVRT legislation provides for the establishment of Sexual Offenders’ Register that would help the State efficiently tackle violations in the communities.
After signing the law, Sanwo-Olu said: “Raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence is an important piece of working to end the cycle of violence. It is important to reiterate the State Government’s zero tolerance to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. We will not rest on our oars until the menace is reduced to the barest minimum in Lagos.”
The Governor appointed Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi as the Executive Secretary of the new agency.
Vivour-Adeniyi was the coordinator of the response team before the legislation was signed into law.
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Anti open grazing law is a welcome development. In fact, it is a right step taken at the right time. Although there are mixed feelings and reactions from different groups and regions across the nation about the law, it is blessing in disguise. The law is made and enacted purposely because of frequent farmers herders clashes. However, it is beyond farmers herders clashes as the law will go a long way to:
1. correct climatic challenge resulting from over grazing and stamped that had hitherto cause desert encroachment.(the northern Nigeria need the law more than any other regions. Indeed we will have our forests back.
2. The herders(normadics) children will be able to enroll and stay in schools thereby improve their livestyle socially and civility.
3. There will be jib opportunity as there will be needs for cattle rearers to buy animal feeds just as the poultry/fishry/piggry farmers get their animals feeds.
4. Production of more quality beef and milk. This will result from care and attentions the animals will get from herders and vetenary doctors.
5. It will definitely strengthen national unity resul from cohesion arising from peaceful coexistence with the law.
6. It will boost Nigerian economy.
7. Life expectancy of the Nigerians will be improved.
8. Life will be more meaningful to the people.
9. National security will be endured. Restriction of herders will prevent those that hide under grazing to perpetrate banditry.
10. Cattle rustling will be checked greatly.