The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Farmers and Herders Committee to address the ongoing clashes between farming and herding communities in the state.
The inauguration took place in Port Harcourt on Thursday, July 24, 2025, with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika, who also chairs the committee, emphasizing the urgent need to resolve these conflicts.
He noted that while agriculture remains vital to Nigeria’s economy, disputes between farmers and herders have led to loss of lives, displacement, and disruption of livelihoods.
Worika stated that the state’s Administrator, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, is committed to promoting peace, justice, and dialogue among all communities.
He said, “this Farmers and Herders Committee has therefore been constituted as a proactive measure to amongst others identify and address early warning signs of tension between farmers and herders across the state, mediate and resolve disputes amicably through community-based, non- violent mechanisms and ensure that grazing and farming activities are conducted within the bounds of law and environmental sustainability.
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“The committee will also advise the government on sustainable strategies for land use, pasture development, and water resource management, and promote mutual understanding and peaceful engagement through community sensitization and advocacy.”
The committee will also advise the government on land use planning, pasture and water resource development, and lead awareness campaigns to foster understanding between communities.
The committee includes representatives from traditional institutions, security agencies, farmers’ and herders’ groups, civil society, and key ministries such as Agriculture, Local Government, and Justice. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture will serve as Secretary to the committee.
Worika urged the committee to work with integrity and impartiality, stating, “Our mission is not only to prevent conflict but to build trust and cooperation among the communities that form the backbone of our economy.”
