Veteran Yoruba film actor Lere Paimo, also known as Eda Onile Ola, has made a heartfelt appeal to the governors of the South-West region of Nigeria to take decisive action in controlling the activities of herders. He pointed out that due to insecurity, farmers are unable to access their ancestral farms, leading to widespread hunger in the region.
Paimo emphasized the dire situation, stating that peasant farmers are living in fear of their farms being destroyed by herders, which has severely impacted agricultural productivity. He firmly believes that with proper security measures, improved infrastructure, and support for farmers, the South-West region could not only sustain itself but also contribute significantly to the nation’s food supply.
During an interview in Lagos on Tuesday, Paimo shared his insights on how to address the current socio-economic challenges, inflation, and food shortages in the country. He stressed the urgent need for collaboration among South-West governors to implement effective strategies to curb the activities of violent herders and ensure food availability.
The veteran actor expressed his concerns, saying, “Let every South-West governor control the activities of herders, who always clash with farmers. This has sent many away from their ancestral farms, and the attendant hunger is staring us in the face.”
Paimo further lamented the losses suffered by many farmers due to the destruction caused by herders’ cattle feeding on farms, and the lives lost in these clashes. He urged the governors to use their authority and power to tame herders, so that people can confidently return to farming without fear.
“People are suffering and hungry because many have deserted farms due to security concerns. If we want food security like before, we need to take action in that direction,” Paimo concluded.
