List of Senators Who Insisted That Hammed Ali Must Go Home and Reappear in Nigeria Custom Uniform Next Week

The Nigerian Senate sent away the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Hameed Ali, after he appeared before the lawmakers without his uniform for the second time.
Hameed Ali,was given an earlier notice directing him to wear his uniform.

Hameed Ali’s appearance without his official uniform on Thursday after his failure to appear on Wednesday, was contrary to the resolution of the Senate which asked that he must wear “appropriate” uniform to brief them over the now suspended policy on vehicle duty payment.
The Senate unanimously resolved to drive away and resolved that he should appear again next Wednesday in uniform, after the lawmakers took turns to chide the Customs boss.

“Coming was just one part of our invitation, another part is that you wear uniform. Why are you not in uniform?” Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, asked Ali, after he observed protocols.
Ali then craved the indulgence of Ekweremadu to refer to the letter forwarded to him on Wednesday, and after reading the content of the letter, he said, “this letter did not connote that I should wear uniform.”
“My not wearing uniform does not breach any law. No law, to my knowledge, that compels me to wear uniform. There is no law that says in doing my service, I have to wear uniform.”

Responding, Ekweremadu said Wednesday’s letter was “further to the earlier letters which indicated that you should wear uniform. So this is a reminder. More importantly, this is official. We have expected military chiefs and the Inspector General of Police and they all wear uniform.”
Here is the list of senators that “Sent” Ali out of plenary for not wearing his uniform we culled from Nigerian Senate’s Twitter page (@NGRSenate);

• “Sen. Magnus Abe pleads with the CG @CustomsNG to wear his uniform to preserve the image of the Customs and perception of other institutions.
• “Sen. George sekibo says the CG @CustomsNG must re-appear before the Senate in his uniform.
• “Sen. Barbanas Gemade @BI_Gemade seconds and says it is respectable and important for the CG @CustomsNG to wear his uniform.
• “Sen B. Jibrin – “CG needs to go & apply the law of the land by wearing uniform before he addresses us, as stipulated in our constitution
• “Sen. Ibn Na’Allah – The circular issued by the CG @CustomsNG stating to the Senate that he won’t wear his uniform is derogatory.
• “Sen. Na’Allah cites Sectns 7,8 &10 of the Customs Act which states that the Customs shares same privileges with police and other instutions.
• “Sen. Yayi Adeola @YAYIAdeola says anyone can wear the Customs uniform and appear as the CG @CustomsNG.”

Commonwealth To Empower Young Women With Critical Life Skills

Young women across the Commonwealth are set to benefit from a new initiative to help them acquire critical life skills and to progress in their careers.
The Commonwealth Women’s Mentorship Scheme will match aspiring young people with experienced professionals in their fields.
The project was conceptualised at the Commonwealth Women Leaders’ Summit in 2016, and endorsed by Commonwealth Ministers responsible for women’s affairs at their meeting in Samoa later the same year.
It will be delivered by the Secretariat in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Council, the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network and Rotary in Canada and the Caribbean.
At the scheme’s launch in London this week, Baleka Mbete, Speaker for the National Assembly of South Africa, urged young people to be humble and open to guidance. She extolled the benefits of mentorship and its importance in passing on values and lessons from generation to generation.
Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, Krystle Reid from Sri Lanka, spoke about the importance of having someone to help young women to network, achieve personal and professional development and rise above discrimination.
“Look for a mentor who will hold your hands all through your journey, who is accessible, who understands what your priorities are, and is able to guide you and keep you energised, especially when you have bumps in the road,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Dr Josephine Ojiambo.
After the launch she described the initiative as a critical part of the Commonwealth’s drive to empower young women.
Dr Ojiambo said, “The Global Youth Development Index provides clear evidence of the dire need to equalise the gender disparity that exists across the Commonwealth. Young women are, on average, twice as likely to be not in education, employment, or training as their male peers. Addressing these inequalities is a priority for the Commonwealth Secretariat.”
The mentoring project will begin with a six-month pilot in the Caribbean and the Americas, but will include a small number of participants from Africa, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. It is open to Commonwealth citizens between 18 and 29 who have demonstrated leadership and drive in their careers or in community projects.
Commenting on the programme, organiser Angelique Pouponneau, Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Council, said that mentorship is essential for boosting the economic position of women. “As a young woman myself, I understand the importance of having someone to provide guidance and advice and to support you in building the character and confidence it takes to become a strong leader and to progress in your career.
“The mentorship programme has been designed to ensure that we draw from the wealth of people within the Commonwealth who are willing to commit their time and experience to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Dean Rohrs, Rotary International Director in Canada, added: “The rights of women for equal opportunity and the ability for them to realise their full potential is very important to Canadians. Rotarians in Canada are delighted to have been asked to be part of this programme and look forward to helping with this important Commonwealth initiative where the mentoring of young women will help them be full contributing citizens of the world.”
(Sources: Commonwealth)

Kano establishes grazing reserves to end farmers-herdsmen crisis.

Kano state government has said it has established five grazing reserves in an efforts to curb recurring clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje made the announced in talks with the newly elected officers of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders ‎Association.

According to the governor, more than 60 herdsmen were trained in Turkey for animal insemination to improve reproduction in cattle and in line with international best practice.‎
He added that the state government would provide mechanised boreholes, fodder and other facilities in the reserves to prevent them from roaming in search of animal feed.‎
He said, “It is no longer fashionable for herdsmen to wander through the length and breadth of the country searching for pasture.”

IN MAKURDI | Benue students protest killing of colleague by herdsmen.PHOTOS

The National Union of Benue State Students on Thursday, thronged the major streets of Makurdi, the state capital to express their outrage over the killing of one of their colleagues by armed herdsmen last weekend.

In the course of the protest, the students blocked the roads around the Wurukum Roundabout and the entrance to the Benue State University for over two hours, crippling social and commercial activities around the areas.

The students’ colleague had travelled home to inform his parents that he had successfully completed his final year project when he was killed by herdsmen.

The protesting students, who were seen chanting war songs, carried placards with inscriptions, such as; ‘enough of Fulani Killings in Benue’, ‘herdsmen must go’, ‘no more grazing in Benue’, etc, called on the Benue and federal governments to act fast to stop the wanton killing of the innocent citizens of the state.

Addressing the crowd of students at the Wurukum Roundabout, the leader of the aggrieved students, Joshua Tarbunde, appealed to the Benue State House of Assembly to speedily pass the anti-grazing bill before it to phase out killer herdsmen from the state.

He said, ”We don’t want Fulani in our communities in Benue, Fulani must leave us alone because we have no power to fight them. Just take a look at this, this innocent boy had suffered all through in the university and only for him to be killed by Fulani men after he left school for home to inform his poor parents in the village about his success in the school so far.”

It took the intervention of the police to calm down frayed nerves and clear the barricades placed on major roads for commuters to pass.

‘You Are Losing the Mission’ – El Rufai to Buhari

In a recent development, a powerful 30 paged memo was disclosed to have been sent from Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2016 stating that their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has made the situation in Nigeria worse than it met it by failing to be proactive in taking key decisions in a timely manner.

According to Saharareporters, the memo contained a blunt introspection of what would be regarded as errors on the part of the presidency which has affected the confidence of the masses in the present administration.
“In very blunt terms, Mr. President, our APC administration has not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance outside of our successes in fighting BH insurgency and corruption,” he said in the 30-page memo, which was essentially a follow-up to an earlier one he sent to the president.

“Overall, the feeling even among our supporters today is that the APC government is not doing well,” he declared, before proceeding to an analysis of the key areas: Politics, National Economy and Governance, and then making suggestions for Mr. Buhari’s consideration and action.

Listing his reasons for the memo, he said, the final one was his opinion that President Buhari is Nigeria’s only hope now and in the medium term of saving the Nigerian nation from collapse, and enabling the north of Nigeria to regain its lost confidence, begin to be respected as a significant contributor, and not the parasite and problem of the Nigerian federation.
“Mr. President, it is also clear to many of us that have studied your political career, that so long as you remain in the political landscape, no Northerner will emerge successfully on the national scene,” Governor El-Rufai said.

“All those wasting time, money and other resources to run in 2019 either do not realize this divinely-ordained situation or are merely destined to keep others employed and rich from electoral project doomed to certain failure.”

He noted that President Buhari’s relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal and informal, as well as with former Governors of ANPP and PDP which joined, and the ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty, as many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider to be total absence of consultations with them on the part of the president and of those he has assigned such duties.
Observing that that many not be Mr. Buhari’s intention or outlook, the governor affirmed that that is how it appears to those that watch from afar.

“This situation is compounded by the fact that some officials around you seem to believe and may have persuaded you that current APC State Governors must have no say and must also be totally excluded from political consultations, key appointments and decision-making at the federal level,” he said.

“These politically-naive ‘advisers’ fail to realize that it is the current and former state governors that may, as members of NEC of the APC, serve as an alternative locus of power to check the excesses of the currently lopsided and perhaps ambivalent NWC,” he continued, adding that alienating the governors so clearly and deliberately ensures that you have near-zero support of the party structure at both national and state levels.
Advising the president that it is not too late to reverse the situation, El-Rufai told the president that he, however, appears to have neither a political adviser nor a minder of his politics.

“The two officials whose titles may enable them function as such generally alienate those that contributed to our success,” he declared, dismissing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as not only inexperienced in public service but lacking in humility, in addition to being insensitive and rude to virtually most of the party leaders, ministers and governors.

“The Chief of Staff is totally clueless about the APC and its internal politics at best as he was neither part of its formation nor a participant in the primaries, campaign, and elections,” El-Rufai said. “In summary, neither of them has the personality, experience, and the reach to manage your politics nationally or even regionally.

Among many others, the governor also noted that in this era of global interconnections, nations compete viciously in the economic arena – for a larger share of international trade, investments, maritime and aviation services, and a whole raft of knowledge-based services and industries. He noted that this competition is neither moral nor fair, even if the advanced nations pretend to present it as such to those that are gullible.

“No one cares about, or will ‘help’ us unless we get our act together and organize our political economy and national affairs to be regionally,” the governor said. He added that these troubling perceptions, whether accurate or not, must be addressed frontally by the president, and no other person.

To that end, he asked Mr. Buhari to consider communicating actively and directly with the Nigerian public about his vision – the government’s plans, strategy, and road map to take the country out of the current, dire economic situation, suggesting a five-year national development strategy and plan urgently.

“The President should speak to the nation – something akin to a State of the Union address on December 1 or January 1,” El-Rufai also said in the memo, dated September 22,2016, “preferably in a joint session of the National Assembly during which he will explain away some of the perceptions and lay out the national plans, strategies, and roadmap [contained in this memo].

He noted that the memo might be misunderstood, misinterpreted and even perverted, but said he was willing to accept the usual accusations of arrogance and ambition, adding that the President knows that none of those arguments hold water.

“I ran for state Governor because you directed me to do so,” he said. “From 2010 when we joined your team, I have no other interest other than your place in history as our President. I believe in your integrity, commitment and sense of duty to make our nation better.”
“I am distressed that our government is seen not to be succeeding mostly due to the failures, lack of focus and selfishness of some you have entrusted to carry on and implement your vision. I am troubled that our own missteps have made the PDP and its apparatchiks so audacious and confident.”

Calling on the president to “act decisively,” and expressing the hope that his memo will “contribute in some way in regaining our governance momentum,” the governor told Mr. Buhari, “You have both a crisis and opportunity in your hands to turn around our country in the right direction. We pray that Allah gives you the strength and good fortune to succeed. This is an honest, frank and objective view of an admirer, a mentee, and a loyalist. I hope it helps, and I apologize if it displeases you. My duty to you is to tell you the truth as I see it. I have no interest other than the progress of our party, our president, our government, and our country.”


Source Sahara Reporters.

Pinnick beats Anjorin to CAF Executive Seat

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has been elected into the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Pinnick defeated Benin’s Anjorin Moucharafou 32-17 to win the CAF Executive Committee West Zone B ticket. He will serve for four years.
The election also took place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where earlier Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar had rocked African football by beating CAF President Issah Hayatou 34-20.

Yet another S3x Scandal hits Nollywood,Cossy Orjiakor exposes Iyabo Ojo calls her a ''fortified juju girl with angelic face''

Nollywood has been perceived as a forum for professional prostitution as most of the ladies have been said to be getting roles with their body and sleeping with politicians and wealthy men to live flamboyantly.

Just when we thought the month of March would go peacefully without another Sex scandal, busty Nollywood actress, Cossy Orjiakor makes shocking revelations.

If you recall, Iyabo Ojo was dragged recently in a sex scandal with a PortHarcourt base Pastor, whose member released the secret.
Although, Cossy didn’t mention Iyabo Ojo’s name, but she gave us a hint to make us understand who she was talking about.
Cossy had been busy in few days trying to tell Nigerians what went wrong between her and a Nollywood actress and another renowned person in a story telling format.

According to her, she introduced them to a wealthy man who she addressed as ‘MR’ and they got rich through him but betrayed her.


“A very cute smallish Yoruba actress...she has angelic face...hahahha heard a story about her and another ...recently... Hmmm no smoke without fire you will say..... Bitch got millions sent to her account from 2011 upwards. She became a big girl. And is still relevant to mr? Till date...fortified juju girl with angelic face.... Enjoy ur range ...enjoy ur house ... Produce more block buster but Don't forget I hooked u up to the person that changed ur life.”


With this, one doesn’t need a prophet to tell you she was definitely referring to Iyabo Ojo, as she was the only Yoruba actress with a recent sex scandal, but let’s go back to her full ‘ungrateful Delilah’ story before you get confused.

Read below:
Story...story....story..... Part 1.....once upon a time... In the year 2011... I met a nice businessman ... He was so nice..I decided to keep him as a good friend. Because it pays more having good friends than fuck mates. Anyway we got so friendly that he asked me for favors...well. Am not the type u send errands. So I made some demands. A range rover sport. ..And it was accepted. I did all he asked.. Then got tired of the protocols.. One day I saw his spec... I saw this angelic big fat ass. With tiny waist on top of okada somewhere in Ologolo , lekki area, I was driving behind this girl and was moved and felt pity ...I didn't know her from Adams never knew she acts...anyway.... I stopped this lady and collected her no. She is so gifted that I went to her house a flat in a very swampy road she shared with friend. I asked her if she will love to meet my friend. She was more than happy to go when she heard d money I was offering ....ahhahh. the story continues. .. part 2, 3, 4, 5 ...to 10 all loading.... The tittle of this script...is ....the ungrateful Delilah....


THE UNGRATEFUL DELILAH Story .....story.......story.... Part 2, in my owns words.... (broke up with my boyfriend over flimsy stuffs! Been thinking why? Now I know why he left.. He promised me a range rover sport for my birthday Oct 15, guess he can't met up. Won't take him back after my birthday mtchew. Men !!!!!!!!,) This story am telling seems so old because it happened 6/7 yrs ago....so why now. Hahahahahaa . ... I really don't know how it happened. Was it the ass ...was it the lies...or was it juju....I have told close friends in the entertainment industry about this issue .... They asked me. Cossy do you do juju? ..... Don't fight war with fortified juju people!!! .......anyway.... E ji mu Ofo. The hard work I put in... All the protocols I observed. ...then just a simple mistake of picking up this girl with huge ass on top okada . messed up my mind .. I was bitter for a long time... When I eventually found out the range rover was bought ...but was given to this fat ass okada girl... So why I no go vex....hahahaha. Ohhhh hope I didn't loose you there... So Delilah went for the hookup. She was really nice. She dashed me 50k from the 400k paid to her.. I was happy too... Swapping my rav 4 for a Range...yes yes I know he can and will keep to his promise. But my good friend Mr? Keep sending me on higher protocol arrangements .. My mistake. I should have asked for a well defined job..... Hahahaha someone somewhere will be popping in her fat pants.... Talking about lawyers won't scare me one bit. Because truth can't be covered .... grab ur pop corn..

 Part 3 continues 2moro
THE UNGRATEFUL DELILA ... Story ...Story ...Story.... Part 3, i want to talk about my house. I built it prior to meeting mr? I was d first actress to own a house then. #facts.. The higher protocols actually taught mr? Helped out. So they demanded for houses and all...the ones that knew him better (secrets) ...blackmail or not..it worked for them. They didn't talk trash about me...if they did mr? Will surely tell me, so the secrets are permanently safe with me. 2 bitchy protocols got me mad.... A very cute smallish Yoruba actress...she has angelic face...hahahha heard a story about her and another ...recently... Hmmm no smoke without fire you will say..... Bitch got millions sent to her account from 2011 upwards. She became a big girl. And is still relevant to mr? Till date...fortified juju girl with angelic face.... Enjoy ur range ...enjoy ur house ... Produce more block buster but Don't forget I hooked u up to the person that changed ur life... Be grateful when u hear cossy and pray for me in ur inner heart. I heard all the trash u told mr? That's why am mentioning u now 🙌👅. 2nd bitch . the useless one that went to do love.. Hahahahhahh.. She is just as ugly in xter as Delilah.. Bitch gat medium ass hahahha so mr? Cant keep u for long. bitch act so crazy... Sent me 100k went to show mr? D bank teller.. That am getting paid for the hookups ...it caused a huge rift.. My range was on shaky grounds...i accepted collecting d 100k then i accused him of sending me on plenty protocols. That he should give me a specific no before the range comes...🙇😭 seriously.... Bitch 2_Ur mates are utilizing the hookup asking for house and car and ur here blocking my range. 😸🙆 you deserve a mention for the stress u gave me....but Mentioning ur name now will mean reviving ur dead career ...I know mr? Taste so I went Looking for d perfect one to overthrow her reign...Had this running thro my mind. When i saw her... D perfect one...d road was untarred & bumpy d ass moved to every jerk from the bike...I got hypnotized.. the ass was taking... talking to me... the dress she wore... a huggy animal skin Lycra short gown. . .. I overtook the bike....HELLO....

part 4 ......loading."

In preparation for the upcoming Convocation ,VC leds university community on the ''Clean LASU Day'' -PHOTOS

The Lagos State University Numero-Uno, Professor 'Lanre Fagbohun yesterday, 15th of March;2017 showed enormous passion and great leadership as he led members of the University Community on the quarterly Clean LASU Day.






All Faculties were tasked with cleaning their premises, after which they joined the Vice Chancellor in moving round the University.
Subsequently after the inspections, students and staff converged at the 3-in-1 Conference Hall for sensitization lectures from various individuals. The Clean LASU Project is a continuous one and it will be sustained even after the University becomes the most beautiful campus in the world.
















Convocation starts today with the Press Conference.
We are LASU, We are Proud!
'Pelumi Olugbenga.

Yours truly  [Me]is among the graduands ......at long last,hmmmm 

Source SDK Blog

''OPEN GRAZING PROHIBITION BILL''.| Full Text

OPEN GRAZING PROHIBITION BILL: FULL TEXT
BENUE STATE HOUSE OF  ASSEMBLY

A BILL FOR A LAW TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LIVESTOCK PROMOTION, DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATORY AGENCY, 2016 AND FOR PURPOSES  CONNECTED THEREWITH.

Date of Commencement
BE IT ENACTED by the House of Assembly of Benue State as follows-

1. This Law may be cited as the LIVESTOCK (PROMOTION, DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATORY) AGENCY LAW, 2016 and shall come into force on the ……………..day of ………….. 2016

Definition
2. In this law- 
"Agency" means the Livestock Promotion, Development and Regulatory Agency set up under this Law;

"Board" means the governing body of the Agency set up under this Law:

"Chairman" means a Chairman of Local Government Area Council in Benue State or any person acting in that capacity;

"Commissioner" means the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources;

"Commercial Ranch" means a large farm for breeding and raising cattle, goats, sheep or horses;

"Committee" means the Committee hereby created by this Law;

"Community" means village, hamlet, farm settlement etc;

"General Ranch" means the Public Ranch;

"Governor" means the Governor of Benue State; 
"Land" means any ground, soil, or earth whatsoever, as meadows, pastures, woods, etc and everything annexed to it, whether by nature, as trees, water, etc, or by the hand of man, as crops buildings fences, etc.;

"Livestock" means any farm animal, particularly cattle, goat, sheep or horse and camel kept for use or profit, and includes any animal, which the Governor may by notice in the State Gazette declare to be included in the term "Livestock" for the purpose of this Law;

"Livestock Guards" means an officer, volunteer and all the person engaged by the Committee for the enforcement of the provisions of this Law;

"Open grazing" means the act of pasturing livestock to feed on growing grass, shrubs, herbage, farm crops, etc, in open fields without any form of restriction;

"Ranch" means a secured tract or land used as animal nurturing farm, particularly for the grazing and rearing of cattle, sheep, goat or horse and any other animal for the purpose of this Law;

"Ranching" means movement of livestock from one grazing area to another;

"Reserve" means a piece of land exclusively designated reserve for grazing of livestock in any part of Benue State;

"State" means Benue State of Nigeria;

Establishment of the Agency
3. (1) There shall be established for the State a body to be known as 
Livestock Promotion, Development and Regulatory Agency (in this Law referred to as "the Agency")

(a) The Agency shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and common seal and

(b) May sue and be sued in its corporate name, and 
(c) May acquire, hold or dispose of any movable and immovable property for the purpose of its functions under this law.

Objectives of the Agency
4. (1) The main objectives for which the Agency is established are;

(i) The Agency shall establish ranches from any part of the public domain excluding however, State forest reserves, parks and monuments, which are valuable for raising forage crops

(ii) Provide for the protection, administration regulation and improvement of the ranches:

(iii) Adopt regulations and enter into cooperative agreements necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Law;

(iv) Preserve the land and resources from destruction or unnecessary Injury;

(v) Provide for orderly improvement and development of the ranch;

(vii) Conduct a continuous study of the erosion and flood control and perform work to protect and rehabilitate areas subject to this Law;

(vii) Prescribe mechanisms or measures for the acquisition of land for the establishment of ranches.

Ranching Permits.
5. The Agency shall issue or cause to be issued permits to graze~, livestock on such Ranches to bona fide settlers, residents and other stock owners as under the Agency's rules and regulations are entitled to participate in the use of the ranch, upon the annual payment of a fee In each case to be fixed or determined from time to time by the Agency.

Provided always that: 
(i) Ranching permits shall be issued to citizens of Nigeria only and to groups, associations, or corporations authorized to conduct business under the taws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Preference shall however be given in issuance of ranching permits to those within or near a district who are landowners engaged in the livestock business, bona fide occupants or settlers;

(ii) Permits must be for a period of not more than one year with renewal subject to the discretion of the Agency;

(iii) The Agency shall however remit, reduce, refund in whole or part or postpone payment of ranching fees in cases of natural emergencies such as drought, epidemics etc;

(iv) Ranching privileges are to be safeguarded but the creation of a ranches or the issuance of a permit pursuant to the provisions of this sub-section shall not create any right, title, interest, or estate in or to the lands.

Temporal Structures, wells, reservoirs and other improvements.
6. Temporal structures and other improvements for the management of permitted livestock may be constructed within the ranches under permits issued, or cooperative agreements approved, by the Agency. However, no permit entitles the committee to use improvements constructed and owned by a prior occupant until the applicant has paid the prior occupant the reasonable value of the improvements, as determined under the Agency's regulations.

Cooperation with associations, land officials, and agencies in conservation or propagation of wildlife.
7. The agency shall promote cooperation among those Interested In the use of the ranches, such as local associations of livestock owners, state land officials and other officials of State or Federal and International Agencies engaged In the conservation or propagation of livestock and wildlife.

(a) Proceeds or funds accruing from under this law from ranching fees the government and the host community or local government council, as the case may be, where ranch is located at a percentage to be determined by the Agency from time to time;

(b) Approve and grant loans to civil and public servants, cooperative and thrift societies, educational institutions, companies and private individuals Interested or Wishing to embark on livestock production or rearing;

(c) Create awareness among the general public through seminars. Symposia and advertisement on the commercial viability of livestock production;

(d) Develop and maintain a feasible and sustainable livestock production industry in the State;

(e) Develop an integrated modern livestock development and production plan and strategy for the State;

(f) Develop guidelines for the implementation of an integrated livestock production policy and make appropriate recommendation to the Governor;

(g) Initiate, design, co-ordinate, evaluate and monitor all programs aimed at integrating or boosting livestock production, rearing and herding in the State;

(h) Organise training and support programs aimed at improving livestock agriculture;

(i) Engage or liaise with key stakeholders Local and International in livestock production to increase access to education and training animal husbandly:

(j) Perform or implement any other policy initiative as maybe determined by the Board.

Functions of the Agency
8. (1) The Agency shall in order to achieve its mandate and objectives 
under this law-

(a) Establish competencies and capabilities in its operations including the following areas:-

(i) Policy research and development; 
(ii) Training and development; 
(iii) The Benue Livestock Development Fund.

(b) Establish offices of the Agency at the local government areas and appoint the necessary personnel to those offices;

(c) Carry out or cause to be carried out any investigation that it deems necessary;

(d) Consider such recommendations, suggestions and requests concerning the production of livestock, operation of ranches as it may receive from any source:

(e) Conduct or cause to be conducted such research as it deems necessary;

(f) All secondary schools in the State shall teach agricultural science and students must register agricultural science for WAEC/SSCE/NECO or as the case may be;

(g) All schools in the State primary, secondary and tertiary shall have an integrated school farm run on commercial basis that will promote and introduce agriculture to our youth at the earliest possible age;

(h) Local Government areas of the State having common border with other States shall establish transit ranches and inspection posts which shall accommodate permitted transit livestock for a period not exceeding 14 (fourteen) days from the date of entry;

(i) To encourage the promotion of livestock holding in every household in the State.

Prohibition of Nomadic livestock herding and ranching in the State
9. (1) No individual or group shall, after the commencement of this 
law engage in nomadic livestock herding or ranching In the State outside the designated ranches.

(2) Any person or group of persons who contravenes subsection (1) above shall be guilty of an offence and shall. on conviction be liable to three years imprisonment or to a fine of N300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira), or both

(a) Where such contravention causes damage to farm, crops or property of any person within the State, the owner of such livestock shall after evaluation by tile Agency of the damage pay a monetary compensation of the farm crops or property so damaged to the owner

10. (1) Any livestock found grazing, wandering; herding in an area not 
designated as a ranch shall be impounded by the Agency or any other person authorized by the Agency in that behalf.

Release of impounded Livestock
11. (1) The Agency or any other person so authorized shall release the 
impounded livestock to the owner upon showing good cause and after paying the prescribed fees and expenses as the case may be as contemplated under this law

Sale of impounded Livestock
12. Any impounded livestock under this law which is not claimed within 7 (seven) days of such impoundment shall:-

(a) Be sold auction to public; and

(b) The proceeds of such sale shall be deposited in a designated government account as part of Internally Generated Revenue (lGR);

(c) No action shall lie against the Agency or any person or group of persons for effecting such a sale.

Livestock Development Fund
13. The Agency shall establish manage and administer a Livestock Development Fund to finance the execution of the programs of the Agency.

(1) The Fund shall be managed by a Board of Trustee to be headed by person of proven integrity appointed by the Governor; while the membership shall be drawn from the relevant Ministries, agencies. the private sector, educational institutions.

(2) The Agency shall for the purpose of this section and within its available resources amongst others:-

(a) Provide career guidance services in livestock production;

(b) Provide access to information regarding products and services of tile Livestock Development Fund

(c) Provide financial assistance to those wishing to embark on livestock agriculture;

(d) Provide financial assistance to small, micro and medium enterprises and cooperative societies;

(e) Provide training regarding the concepts and principles of entrepreneurship and business;

(f) Provide training in livestock production for unemployed youths to enhance their life and professional skills which would enable them to be self-employed and to be integrated into the economy;

(g) Provide such other services as may be necessary to achieve tile aims contemplated by this section.

Fund of the Agency
14. The Fund of the Agency shall consist of:

(i) Initial take-off grant for the Agency;

(ii) Monies lawfully received from any other source and which must be disclosed not later than 90 days after receipt;

(iii) Any other lawful sources not mentioned above:

(iv) Annual budgetary allocations appropriated by the State House of Assembly;

(v) Interest on loans granted by the Agency for livestock production.

Annual Report
15. The Agency shall cause to be submitted to the House of Assembly annually;

(a) A statement of income and expenditure of the Agency during the previous year:

(b) A statement of assets and liabilities of the Agency;

(c) The financial status of the Agency;

(d) Any other matter relating to livestock development production or improvement.

(e) Progress on the implementation of this Law.

Powers of the Agency
16. For the purpose of carrying out its functions specified under this Law the Agency shall:-

(a) Invent or adopt the latest technology relevant for the production, rearing and ranching of livestock in the State;

(b) Obtain or secure loans, advances and other banking facilities for the development and enhancement of livestock in the state.

Control and Management of the Agency
17 The affairs of the Agency shall be managed by a Board, which shall:-

(a) Determine the operational policy and direction of the Agency; and

(b) Exercise control generally over the exercise of its powers and execution of its functions.

Composition, appointment and conditions of Service of the Board
18. (1) There shall be constituted for the Agency, a Management Board 
(In this Law referred to as "the Board"), which shall give guidelines for the management of the affairs of the Agency.

(2) The Board shall consist of:-

(i) Chairman who shall be the Governor of the State or his representative;

(ii) Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency who shall be appointed by the Governor;

(iii) A representative of the Organized Civil Society;

(iv) A representative of the Farmers Association;

(v) A representative of University of Agriculture, Makurdi:

(vi) The Rector, Akperan Orshi Polytechnic of Agriculture Yandev;

, (vii) The Managing Director, Benue Investment and Property 
Company Limited;

(viii) The Chairman, Benue Chamber of Commerce; Industries, Mines and Agriculture;

(ix) The Surveyor-General of the State;

(x) Representatives of Traditional Institutions in Tiv and Idoma areas of the State;

(xi) Representatives of Christian Association of Nigeria/Muslim in the State;

(xii) A representative of ANCOPS Benue State;

(xiii) Representative of the Ministry of Finance;

(xiv) A representative of the Commissioner of Police;

(xvi) The Executive Secretary of the Agency as Member/Secretary

(3) Members of the Board who are non-permanent members shall be appointed by their parent MDAs:-

(4) Members must be appointed in a manner ensuring transparency and openness; and

(5) Members must reflect the demographics and geographical spread of the State;

(6) Members hold office at the pleasure of the Governor;

(7) A member appointed to fill a vacancy holds office for the unexpired portion of the term of the member he or she replaces

(8) The conditions of service, salary and allowances of the Chairman and other members shall be such as may be prescribed in their letters of appointment

(9) Members who are employed by an organ of State are not entitled to remuneration, or any allowance, but must be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses by the Board

Disqualification, removal from office and resignation of members
19. (1) The Chairman or any other permanent member may resign his 
office by giving notice thereof in writing to the Governor and on such resignation being accepted, the Chairman or the member shall be deemed to have vacated his office.

(2) A non-permanent member may vacate his office upon the service on the Chairman of a letter of withdrawal by the appointing authority or his parent body, or if he has-

(a) Been adjudged as insolvent; or

(b) Been convicted of an offence, which in the opinion of the Governor involves moral turpitude, or any conviction that is grave enough to warrant a removal or non-appointment:

(c) Become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member; or

(d) Acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a member, or

(e) So abused his office as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest; provided that a person shall not be removed from office as Chairman or other member under the section unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in the matter.

Appointment of Executive Secretary and other employees of the Agency
20. (1) The Governor, upon the recommendation of the Board, shall 
appoint a suitably qualified person as the Executive Secretary, who shall have not less than ten (10) years' experience in Agriculture or livestock management

(2) The Executive Secretary shall be an employee of the Agency and shall be accountable to the Board.

(3) The Executive Secretary shall:-

(a) Ensure that the functions of the Agency in terms of this Law are performed;

(b) Report to the Board on the proper functioning of the Agency; and

(c) Complete a report on the activities of the Agency for each financial year and submit same to the Board for approval.

(4) The Executive Secretary holds office for a term of five (5) years only

(5) The Agency may also determine the number, nature and categories of other officers and employees required to assist the Agency in the discharge of its functions.

(a) The salary and allowances payable to and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and employees shall be such as are applicable to similar service in the public service of the State;

(b) The Agency may appoint consultants required to assist in the discharge of its functions on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

Duties of the Executive Secretary
21. (1) The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for, amongst 
Others:-

(a) Exercising all appropriate level of leadership for the organization;

(b) Effectively communicating a vision, management philosophy, and business strategy to the Agency's employees;

(c) The general and effective management of the business affairs of the Agency;

(d) The general supervision and direction of all other officials of the Agency;

(e) Developing and recommending to the Board a sound long-term strategy for the Agency that meets the needs of the Agency, government communities, employees, and other stakeholders;

(f) Ensuring that the strategies of the Agency are effectively implemented with timely progress towards strategic objectives:

(g) Obtaining and allocating resources consistent with strategic objectives and making timely adjustments in strategies when market conditions and other forces demand a change;

(h) Carrying out a comprehensive budgeting process and monitoring the Agency s financial performance against the budget;

(i) Submitting annual reports, financial statements and financial position of the Agency to the Board; and

(j) Developing an annual strategic plan and budget.

Local Government Advisory Committee
22. (1) In order that the Agency may have the benefit of the fullest 
information and advice concerning the physical, economic, and other local conditions in the several ranches in the State, there shall be an advisory board of local stockmen in each ranch to be known as ranch advisers.

(a) Each of ranch advisory board shall consist of not less than five (5) members;

(b) Each ranch advisory board shall meet at least once annually, at a time to be fixed by Agency, and at such times as it may be expedient;

\  (c) Offer advice and make recommendations provided that in 
no case shall any ranch adviser participate in any advice or recommendation concerning a permit, or an application thereof, in which he is directly or indirectly interested;

(d) Offer advice or make recommendations concerning rules and regulations for the administration of this Law, the establishment of ranches and the modification of the boundaries thereof; and

(e) Any other matter affecting the administration of this Law within the area.

Composition of Local Government Committee
23. The Local Advisory Committee shall comprise:-

(i) The Chairman of the Local Government Council as Chairman;

(ii) The Chairman of the Local Government Traditional Council or his representative.

(iii) Representative of the Clergy;

(iv) Representative of herdsmen;

(v) Representative of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)

(vi) Divisional Police Officer or his representatives;

(vii) Representative of the host Community.

Delegation and Assignment
24. (1) The Board may delegate any of its powers or assign any of its 
duties to the Executive Secretary or any employee of the Agency

(2) The Executive Secretary may delegate any power or assign any duty conferred or imposed upon him under this Law to a Director or:-

(a) Any other employee of the Agency with appropriate
knowledge and experience: or

(b) Any other person, after consulting the Board.

(3) A delegation or assignment under subsections (1) and (2) above must be in writing and:-

(a) May be subject to any conditions determined by the Board or the Executive Secretary;

(b) Does not prevent the exercise-of that power or the performance of that duty by the Board or the Executive Secretary; and

(c) May be withdrawn or amended by the Board or the Executive Secretary.

Power to accept gifts
25 (1) The Agency may accept gifts of land money or other property 
on terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the person or organization making the gift,

(2) The Agency shall not accept any gift if the conditions attached by the person or organization making the gift are Inconsistent or will compromise the Agency in the discharge of its functions under this Law.

Power to invest funds
26. The Agency may with the prior approval of the Board invest In any manner authorized by law, such of its funds as is not immediately required for its use

Regulations
27. The Governor may, after consultation with tile Board, make regulations regarding:-

(a) Any matter which in terms of this Law may or must be prescribed.

(b) Any action in order to promote compliance with this Law and

(c) Any ancillary or incidental administrative or procedural matter that is necessary to prescribe for the proper implementation or administration of this Law.

Repeal of CAP 72 BNSL, 2004.
28. (1) The Grazing Reserves Law Cap 72, Laws of Benue State, 2004 
is hereby repealed.

(2) All instruments made there under that affect grazing of Livestock shall be modified in line with the provisions of this Law.

I Assent/Withhold Assent the ………………day of ………………..2016.

SAMU£L ORTOM,
EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR
BENUE STATE OF NIGERIA