Timaya, a singer of Afrobeats music, has voiced concern regarding farmland destruction in Bayelsa State allegedly by herders. The artist utilized his X (formerly Twitter) handle and asked the government to intervene and protect farmers from future loss.
Expressing his anger, Timaya emphasized that the loss of agricultural lands is not just an economic loss but a severe threat to food security and livelihoods at the local level. He called on the authorities to move quickly before the matter gets out of hand.
“Pls the government should do something. They are destroying farms in Bayelsa. Aboki, take your cow inside and feed them. This is so sad,” Timaya wrote.
Apart from calling for government intervention, Timaya strongly condemned open grazing and called for the employment of modern and sustainable methods of livestock farming. He was adamant that ranching is a better alternative that would ensure continued destruction did not take place and allowed peaceful coexistence among farmers and herders.
His statement follows heated debates across Nigeria on open grazing, which has been linked to farmer-herder clashes in some states. The majority of states have already passed anti-open grazing legislation, urging herders to embrace ranching. Timaya’s statement got reactions from Twitter users, with some supporting his call to action, while others criticized his wording.
@uchebakaadi responded:
“It is regrettable to use ethnic insults. Not all ‘Aboki’ are herdsmen. As a celebrity, you ought to know better.”
@brainzcode asked Timaya’s stand:
“But when they invite you for performances, you perform for them. Now that it’s biting you, it’s no longer funny?”
