''If we borrowed democracy from America,why can't we borrow ranching from them?''- Ortom's remarks at the coronation of Tor Tiv.[Read the full speech here]

* Excerpts from Governor Samuel Ortom's speech at the coronation of the Tiv Paramount Ruler, Tor Tiv the 5th, HRM, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, at JS Tarka Stadium, Gboko, on March 4, 2017.                               
"In recent years, Benue State has been confronted by security challenges, prominent amongst which is the invasion of our various communities by herdsmen, which often results in the killing of innocent people and destruction of property. This occasion therefore offers me the opportunity to once again, state the stance of government and people of Benue State on the issue of cattle rearing and the solution, to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

Today, we can see that the dignitaries that are here accepted to come despite all odds. Despite the fact that today we have a national programme going on in Otta, the celebration of our leader, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at 80, and most of these leaders here were invited, but they offered to be here in their numbers. It is deeply appreciated and it will not be fair for me to allow you go back thinking that all is well with us, here in Benue.

As I speak to you today, Benue State is under siege by herdsmen and it is the resolve of my government and the people of Benue State to make this passionate appeal to our leaders who are gathered here today to come and help us.

The reason we are agitating for cattle ranching instead of grazing is that the land is no longer same as it used to be in the 50s, when cattle routes were designated and grazing areas were carved.

Today, we are in Nigeria with a population of over a hundred and seventy million people by 2012 projection. If you ask me, by 2017, we should be hitting over two hundred million.

In the 50s, when cattle routes were carved, the total population of Nigeria was less than 40 million. But today, with the upsurge of population, we have seen an increase tremendously in human activities; schools, hospitals, settlements, market places, federal and state roads, and several other things.

Moreso that today, we are talking of diversifying the economy to other sectors, especially in agriculture where we have comparative advantage, it has become extremely difficult for us to marry grazing with farming.

It is the intention of my government to appeal to all of you that are here. I am happy that the Senate President is here, I am happy that the Speaker is here, House of Representative members and distinguished Senators are here, and my colleagues, the governors.

For us, we are saying that since the land has not increased from the 923,000 square kilometres that used to exist in the 50s, rather, it has decreased with the excision of Bakassi from Nigeria, let us collectively adopt ranching. Just like we borrowed the presidential system of government from America, why can't we borrow ranching from America and other parts of Europe and Asia? It is something that can be done!

For me and other Tiv people, an average Fulani man or herdsman is a friend; we are friends, we love them and we like living with them, but the challenge of land is a big problem to all of us. Let us work together by legislating to ensure that we have ranching in Nigeria, just like other parts of the world are doing, including parts of Africa; South Africa, Swaziland, Senegal and Kenya that have embraced it. We can do same here.

We keep appealing to our people to restrain themselves, no matter the provocation, whether by herdsmen or by farmers. Let us learn to live, working with the rule of law and due process - two wrongs will not make a right. Where there are breaches or trespasses, let them be reported to law enforcement agents.

We have set up committees at the state level, local government, ward and kindred levels, and we, at the state with all the security apparatus of the state are willing to confront all forms of trespasses and breaches and we will give you comfort when you come to us.

I look forward that all of you will reason with us, to help us out of the problems we have today. Today, we talk of no other issue than security issue, especially the clashes between herdsmen and farmers "