A group, Tiv Professionals Group, has conferred a peace award on Governor Samuel Ortom of Borno State for signing into law the Anti-Open Grazing bill.
The conferment was made, on Monday, during a courtesy call on the Governor at the Benue Peoples House, in Makurdi, by the group led by Prof. Zacharys Gundu.
Presenting the award, Prof. Gundu commended Governor Ortom for taking what he described as a bold initiative to secure lives and property in the State.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Benue State University, decried the spate of destruction caused by herdsmen across the State, describing the development as the highest form of impunity against the people of the state.
Leader of the delegation described the threats by Fulani groups as high treason which must be taken seriously and reported to national and international bodies.
He urged the Governor to spear head pressure on the federal government to establish a Commission for the reconstruction of the Middle Belt especially states attacked by armed herdsmen and also appeal to his colleagues to also enact similar laws in order to ensure that ranching becomes the template for livestock breeding and management in the country.
Receiving the award, Governor Ortom expressed appreciation to the group for taking note of his efforts at providing security in the state, adding that the award would spur him to do more for the people of the state.
He said the group had demonstrated patriotism and commitment for value addition to his administration adding that this kind of uncommon support cannot go unnoticed and unrewarded.
The Governor stated that the group had encouraged him to put the law in place saying it was the best strategy for peace between farmers and herders.