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Set up pastoralist commission, Northern elders tell FG

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The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on the Federal Government to set up a National Pastoralist Commission to protect the interest of Nigerian herdsmen.

 

The NEF said this while contributing to the ongoing debate on the proposed law to phase out open grazing and establish ranching agencies, a legislation that sparked conflicting views among stakeholders in the country.

 

The group, in a statement by its Director Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said there was no reason why special initiative should not be introduced to address the concerns and plights of herders, adding that successive governments have established agencies, ministries and programmes such as NDDC, OMPADEC, to tackle challenges affecting specific communities in the South.

 

The NEF further urged the government to establish special funds and policies to support pastoral communities in order to improve their livelihoods.

 

According to the statement, “The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) recognizes the importance of addressing the challenges posed by open grazing and the need for a more sustainable and modern approach to livestock management. However, the Forum is aware of the concerns raised by some northern senators regarding the potential impact of the proposed law on the livelihoods of pastoralists in the region.

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“NEF believes that it is crucial for all stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and consultation to find a balanced and acceptable solution that takes into account the interests of all parties involved. The Forum advocates for the development of policies and programs that support the transition from open grazing to ranching in a manner that ensures the well-being of pastoral communities while also addressing the environmental and security issues associated with open grazing.

 

“In light of the disagreements in the National Assembly on this matter, NEF calls for a collaborative and inclusive approach to decision-making that considers the diverse perspectives and concerns of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Federal and State Governments should immediately identify suitable lands across the country and create grazing reserves and cattle routes, and where resistance is shown, to expropriate such land as may be required for the purpose through resort to extant provisions of the Land Use Act and other related laws.

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“We propose the proclamation of a National Policy on Grazing and Livestock Development (NPGLD) to cater for the needs of all the pastoral communities everywhere in the country.

 

“We call for the immediate proclamation of a Special Intervention Initiative through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministries of Finance, National Planning, Agriculture and Water Resources, for supporting special livestock development policies and the establishment of special funds to support pastoral communities along the lines of the Anchor Borrowers Programme and other types of Federal Government interventions.

 

“We call for the immediate setting up of a National Pastoralist Commission (NPC) to act on all matters affecting the wellbeing and interests of all citizens whose livelihoods depend on livestock rearing.

 

“Successive governments have found it expeditious to establish structures like OMPADEC, NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta, the Amnesty Programme, etc aimed at resolving a specific set of challenges affecting specific communities in the South.

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“There is therefore no justification whatsoever to resist or even question the creation of special initiatives to address the needs of herdsmen if these will lead to lasting peace and stability.”

 

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JUST IN: FG declares October 1 as public holiday

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The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, October 1, as a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holiday on Saturday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary in the ministry.

The minister praised patient and hardworking Nigerians, adding that their sacrifices would not be in vain.

More to follow…

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Good Morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: Bobrisky scandal: We won’t spare indicted officials –Minister

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1. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday warned that officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) found culpable in the apartment-for-prison scandal involving notorious cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, a.k.a. Bobrisky, would not go unpunished. Tunji-Ojo, who spoke at a media briefing in Abuja to mark his one year in office, vowed that no personnel or officer of the Nigeria Correctional Service found involved in the ongoing probe would be spared.

 

2. Ahead of the resumption of flights to Nigeria by Emirates on October 1, the federal government has finalized an agreement with United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities to guarantee reciprocal rights for Nigerian airlines willing to start flying to any UAE cities, especially Dubai.

 

3. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday arrested a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, over alleged fraud of N27 billion. He was reportedly picked up at his Abuja residence.

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4. President Bola Tinubu on Friday appointed seven executive directors for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

 

A press release signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the president re-appointed Ayo Adewuyi as the Executive Director of News.

 

5. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday justified the increase in passport fees, stating that the rise was only about 45 percent. According to him, the increase was driven by the exchange rate between the dollar and the naira.

 

6. Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Friday, ordered the remand of four bloggers for allegedly cyberstalking and spreading false information aimed at insulting the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC, Segun Agbaje.

The bloggers, Precious Eze, Olawale Rotimi, Rowland Olonishu, and Seun Odunlami, were remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

 

7. The Lagos State Police Command has summoned four of its officers to account for their alleged involvement in the extortion of N1 million from some National Youth Service Corps members.

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In an X post, a user tweeting as #YemieFash, identified as Olúyẹmí Fásípè, revealed that the corps members were threatened by the officers and later taken to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, Area C Police Command, where they were “robbed.”

 

8. The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed off the Orchid Shopping Centre in the Eti-Osa area of the state over a threat to public health.

 

This was disclosed in a statement shared on X.com by the state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Friday.

 

9. The House of Representatives has summoned the EFCC Chairman, the Nigerian Correctional Service Comptroller General, Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and all officers involved in the prosecution of Bobrisky.

 

This was contained in a letter written by the Lead Chairman of the joint committee, Jon Ginger Onwusibe, to parties on Friday over the disturbing allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Correctional Service.

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10. A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Chief Olusola Ebiseni and Dayo Awude as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) for the November 16 governorship election.

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CBN extends suspension of processing fees on deposits to March 2025

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended the suspension of processing fees on cash deposits for six months.

 

The development comes six days before the suspension date initially fixed, expires.

 

On May 1, banks resumed the collection of processing fees on cash deposits.

 

Six days later, CBN suspended charges on the deposits until September 30.

 

However, in a circular directed to all banks, other financial institutions and non-financial institutions, dated September 24, 2024, and signed by Adetona Adedeji, CBN’s director of banking supervision, the apex bank extended the date to March 31, 2025.

 

“Further to our letter dated May 6, 2024, referenced BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/016/023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hereby extends the suspension of processing charges on cash deposits above N500,000 for individuals and N3,000,000 for corporates,” the apex bank said.

 

“The previous suspension, set to expire on September 30, 2024, has now been extended until March 31, 2025.

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“This suspension pertains to the 2% and 3% fees outlined in the ‘Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, issued on December 20, 2019.”

 

CBN asked all financial institutions to continue accepting cash deposits from the public without any charges during the period.

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