To achieve this, he approved recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch,” to determine the levels of encroachment.

Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), issued a statement which disclosed this, said the president’s directive followed his approval of the recommendations of a committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

It informed that, among others, the committee had recommended “the collection of field data collection on 368 grazing reserves across 25 states to assess encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and sensitisation.”

The committee also recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations, as well as design appropriate communication on grazing reserves and operations.

The statement added: “The number of the grazing reserves and states were deduced from considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing socioeconomic conditions.

“The president directed that the assignment be undertaken with dispatch to bring more understanding on the grazing reserves and implementation.”

Members of the committee included Kebbi State governor and vice chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Ebonyi State governor and chairman of NEC sub-committee for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi; Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye.

The committee will also make recommendations for gazetting of ungazetted grazing reserves and create a database of national cattle herders and ensure that grazing reserves are well communicated to all stakeholders.

1.     Re-affirmed their commitment to the unity of Nigeria on the pillars of equity, fairness, justice, progress and peaceful co-existence between and amongst its people.

2.     The Forum reiterates its commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.

3.     Security
a.     The Forum reviewed the security situation in the country and commends security operatives for their relentless efforts in restoring security and safety and commiserates with families and loved ones of those who have fallen in the line of duty;
b.     Re-emphasised the need for State Police;
c.     Resolved that if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed;

d.     the forum frowns at selective criminal administration of Justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the Law and fundamental human rights;
e.     Set a timeline of Wednesday, 1st September, 2021 for the promulgation of the anti open grazing law in all member States; and
f.      Resolved that Funds deducted from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the States and Federal Government to combat security challenges.

4.     Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) Law:
i.           The Forum commends the National Assembly for the progress made in the passage of the PIB;
ii.           the Forum rejects the proposed 3% and support the 5% share of the oil revenue to the host community as recommended by the House of Representatives;
iii.           the forum also rejects the proposed 30% share of profit for the exploration of oil and gas in the basins;
iv.           However, the forum rejects the ownership structure of the proposed Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC). The Forum disagrees that the company be vested in the Federal Ministry of Finance but should be held in trust by Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) since all tiers of Government have stakes in that vehicle.

5.                   In order to consolidate our democracy and strengthen the Electoral process, the Southern Governors’ Forum reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act; and also rejects the confirmation of exclusive jurisdiction in pre-election matters on the Federal High Court.

6.                   The Forum unanimously chose Lagos State as its permanent secretariat and appreciated the Governor of Lagos State for the wonderful hosting of this meeting while commending him for his good work in the State.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN
Governor, Ondo State and Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum