Oyo State Government, on Thursday, warned residents against the sale of cows and rams on the major roads during the forthcoming Eid al-Kabir festival in the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.
It also allayed the fears of the herders and farmers on the implementation of the 2019 Anti Open Rearing and Grazing Law.
This was contained in a communique discourse reached at the Stakeholders Summit on Adherence to Anti-Open Rearing and Grazing Law of 2019, held in Ibadan, the state capital.
The government said, “The implementation of the 2019 Anti Open Rearing and Grazing Law is neither aimed at intimidating nor oppressing a particular ethnic group in the state. There are designated markets for such business activity in all the local governments in the state.”
The stakeholders resolved to ensure a strict compliance with the law, noting its health and economic benefits.
They, therefore, sought the collaboration of the state Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, especially in creating awareness among the players.
In her opening remarks, the OYRLEA Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd) noted the place of compliance in any promulgated laws.
Aderemi added that beyond existence of law, the real issue is compliance, how well provisions of the law are being respected, implemented, and enforced across the communities.
Aderemi said, “Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law was enacted to address the farmer-herder conflicts, destruction of farmlands, threats to public safety, and disruptions to livelihoods.
“The law provides a legal framework designed to ensure order, protect investments, and promote peaceful coexistence.”
The chairman added that a law that is not adhered to is a law that cannot deliver value, adding that the law is not optional but foundation upon which peace, security, and development in the state must rest on.
“The summit is convened to critically examine adherence: Where are we getting it right? Where are the gaps? And what must we do differently to strengthen compliance?
“We must acknowledge that enforcement alone cannot guarantee adherence. True compliance requires awareness, cooperation, and a shared commitment from all stakeholders—government, security agencies, community leaders, farmers, and herders alike.
“At the same time, we must be firm in our resolve: Non-compliance undermines the rule of law, and it will not be tolerated. Our approach, therefore, must be balanced—firm in enforcement, but inclusive in engagement; decisive in action, but fair in process.
“There are designated market for such business activity in all the local government areas of the state.
However, any traders caught violating the directive will be severely dealt with in accordance with the law. The affected rams will be confisticated while the owners will be made to pay fines that are related to the offence(s) committed.”
She, therefore, warned the market men and women against turning the major roads to illegal cows and rams market during the forthcoming Id-el kabir festival.
In his remark, the Secretary to the State Government, Musbau Babatunde urged stakeholders to look beyond the law and focus on its enforcement so as to know the right direction on way out.
Also, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye, called on residents of the state to abide by the law, which, according to him, is the only wayout in resolving the farmer/herder conflict.
Represented by Dr. Bukola Akinloye, the commissioner urged farmers in the state to go into ranching, adding that livestock itself is a business and no business should disturb others in the state.
The state Director of Civil Litigation at the Ministry of Justice, Tunji Thomas said rule of law is the basis of any democracy, adding that there wont be any conflict in the society if rule of law is followed.
The event had in attendance stakeholders, respected traditional rulers, representatives of security agencies, members of the farming and herding communities, among others.
Eid-el-Kabir also called Eid al-Adha or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” is the second major Islamic celebration observed by Muslims worldwide.
The festival commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion and obedience to Allah, symbolised through the sacrifice of an animal, usually a ram.
It also marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria.