No Room for Pilot Ranching in Benue, CAN Declares

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Benue State Chapter, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching programme in the state, insisting that there is no available land for the initiative.

The Acting Chairman of CAN in the state, Rev. Jonathan Ugbede, stated this while hosting members of the Legislative Writers Forum of the National Assembly, Abuja, who visited to present him with an award.
Ugbede said Benue’s landmass was already under pressure due to the state’s growing population, leaving no room for land to be allocated for the proposed pilot ranching programme.
He maintained that the church in Benue did not support the initiative, stressing that the state government was not contemplating its implementation.
According to him, the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law remains in force and has not been repealed.
The CAN chairman instead called for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their ancestral communities, saying those displaced by insecurity should be enabled to reclaim and rebuild their homes.
“We want the people in the IDP camps to return to their ancestral homes and take possession of their ancestral areas,” he said.
Ugbede, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for establishing a Nigerian Army division in Benue State, describing the development as a significant step towards tackling insurgency and restoring peace.
He said the presence of the Army division would help create an environment conducive to peace and development across the state.
Speaking on the award, Ugbede expressed appreciation to the Legislative Writers Forum for recognising his leadership and described the honour as a motivation to do more for society.
He dedicated the award to Governor Hyacinth Alia, attributing part of his achievements to the governor’s support, and appealed for continued backing to enable the administration to sustain its programmes.
Earlier, the President of the Legislative Writers Forum, Mr Odeh Agi, represented by Mr Abraham, commended Ugbede’s leadership style, saying the forum had been monitoring his activities and decided to publicly identify with his leadership by conferring the award on him.
He described the honour as an encouragement for the CAN leadership to do more for the people.
Other speakers at the ceremony, including the Acting Secretary of CAN, Apostle General Mike Nkiri; Chairperson of the CAN Women Wing, Mrs Cecilia Member Amishiave; and the YOWICAN leader, Barrister Bobby Tavershima, appreciated the forum for honouring Ugbede.
They expressed confidence that more recognitions would come his way, citing his leadership style and contributions to the church and society.