The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders through inclusive dialogue and practical interventions aimed at promoting peace and sustainable agriculture.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day stakeholder training held in Ado-Ekiti, the governor emphasized the urgent need for continuous dialogue, mutual understanding, and strict adherence to the rule of law to curb the longstanding crisis.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana (Rtd), Governor Oyebanji noted that while several efforts have already been initiated to address the conflict, new approaches rooted in community collaboration are now being pursued.
The event, which was organized under the Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES), brought together a wide range of stakeholders including farmers, herders, traditional rulers, community leaders, and security personnel.
The goal was to openly discuss the underlying causes of the persistent clashes and to collectively develop viable solutions for lasting peace and coexistence.
Governor Oyebanji pointed out that Ekiti State has already enacted anti-grazing legislation to regulate livestock movement and protect farmlands.
However, he acknowledged that the effective enforcement of these laws has been hampered by external challenges—particularly from neighboring states that do not have similar legal frameworks or where enforcement remains weak. These cross-border dynamics, he said, continue to undermine peace efforts within the state.
Despite these obstacles, the governor assured residents of his unwavering commitment to upholding law and order while promoting initiatives that will foster harmony among all ethnic and occupational groups in the state.
He called on farmers, herders, and community leaders to work together with government agencies to build trust and prioritize peaceful conflict resolution over retaliation and violence.
The Special Adviser on Security also reiterated the need for regional cooperation among states to ensure the consistent implementation of policies and laws that govern grazing and livestock management. He noted that without joint action, individual state efforts may be rendered ineffective.
Participants at the training welcomed the initiative as a timely and commendable step by the government. They expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield positive results and help de-escalate tensions that have often led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of livelihoods.
The government, through the LPRES initiative, pledged to continue facilitating platforms that bring all stakeholders together to address the conflict constructively and to promote practices that will boost agricultural resilience and rural development in Ekiti State.