Don urges Enugu Assembly to enact anti-grazing law

A lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Rev Fr. Emeka Ngwoke urged the Enugu State House of Assembly to enact a law to guard against destruction of farmlands by cattle and invasion of any community by herdsmen.

Ngwoke, a Roman Catholic priest, gave the advice in his sermon during the “Cross-Over Night” programme organized by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at his country home in Orba, Udenu Local Government Area.

At the special service which began at 8pm (Sunday) and lasted till about 1.09am (Monday) prayers were offered for the state to progress in 2018.

In attendance were Governor Ugwuanyi; former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo; former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Senator Chukwuka Utazi who represents Enugu North Senatorial District in the Senate; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo; Deputy Governor, Lady Cecilia Ezeilo; and Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, among others.

Ngwoke described 2017 as a challenging year in terms of insecurity and economic hardship. He urged the lawmakers to make 2018 a year of peace and comfort by making laws that would protect the people from the herdsmen.

“I am happy that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly is here. Our people have cried. Our governor has cried because of invasion of herdsmen. Please, give us anti-grazing law. We have to protect our people. Other states are doing it. Those who want to rear cattle should do so in ranches. Let no cattle be found in streets or on roads or in the farms. Let it be from ranch to market or where they are slaughtered,” he said.

The university teacher praised the southeast governors for proscribing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and stopping its activities, warning that Igbo land could be used as experiment in bloodshed after what happened in the civil war.