The Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan has identified mutual understanding between farmers and herders as the solution to the long-standing conflict between the two groups.
This revelation came after a two-day training session, themed ‘Strengthening legal knowledge and community collaboration,’ which brought together farmers and Fulani herders from Oyo State’s Oke-Ogun region.
According to Mr. Alaba Ogunbosoye, head of JDPC’s Integrated Development Programme, the training aimed to foster peaceful coexistence by sharing perspectives.
“Through this training, farmers and herders gained a deeper understanding of each other’s views, making it easier to resolve differences before they escalate,” he explained.
Mr. Fola Awoyemi, who led the legal aspect of the training, emphasized the importance of understanding the law.
“The law prohibits property destruction, so herders grazing on farms and farmers poisoning cattle both violate this law.
“By understanding the law, we can avoid conflicts and achieve peace,” he said.
This initiative is crucial in Nigeria, where agriculture plays a significant role in the economy, accounting for 25% of the country’s GDP and employing 48% of the labor force.