Legal Practitioner Franc Utoo Says Benue’s Answer Remains “An Unyielding NO” to Federal Livestock Policies

By Felix Umande

A Benue born and American based legal practitioner, Barr. Franc Utoo, has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Pilot Ranching Scheme, describing it as the latest version of a “Trojan Horse” policy aimed at conquering Benue land.

In a statement titled “The Policy of the Trojan Horse: Benue’s Standing ‘No’” released on Tuesday, Utoo traced what he called a pattern of federal policies targeting Benue’s land and heritage, from RUGA to Cattle Colonies, the National Livestock Transformation Program, and the Water Resources Bill.

Utoo recalled that Benue rejected RUGA “as a gift of prosperity,” dismissed the Cattle Colony proposal, and questioned the Livestock Transformation Program.
“The only ones needing transformation are the weary herders walking thousands of miles on foot from Guinea across our borders to Sokoto and ultimately to the Middle-Belt,” he said.

On the Water Resources Bill, he accused the federal government of attempting “to slice away two kilometers from our riverbanks and water bodies by federal decree,” adding that threats to invoke colonial grazing routes were untenable.
“If ancient maps were law, you would have to demolish Aso Rock, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court first, for they sit upon those same historical colonial paths,” he stated.

The legal practitioner alleged that after legislative and policy efforts failed, “stealth” was adopted through political proxies.
“You found a vessel—a proxy to sponsor to high political office, someone who would bow to external thrones and prioritize distant allegiances over the blood of his own people,” Utoo said.

He further alleged that “through inflated contracts and siphoned state wealth, you empowered your foot soldiers who return every week to our villages to annihilate our people, destroy our building and churches and markets.”

Utoo said the new National Pilot Ranching Scheme is a rebranded attempt at the same agenda.
“Now, on the eve of political reckoning, you return with the National Pilot Ranching Scheme. You call it a ‘pilot,’ a harmless trial, believing a change in name will blind us to the intent,” he said.

He accused the scheme of using “political survival as a leash” to force leaders to choose “between the survival of his people or the blessing of his masters.”

Utoo said the position of the Benue people has not changed.
“Understand this clearly: the answer of the Benue people remains an unyielding NO. Rename it a thousand times.This soil is not a pawn in your strategy, and our heritage is not for sale,” he declared.

“This land was tilled by the sweat of our forebears, defended by the blood of our ancestors and fathers, and it will remain the sanctuary of our children. On Christ The Solid Rock We Stand!”

The statement comes amid renewed national debate on ranching, livestock management and land use ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Isa Abdul, Abuja

Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers across Nigeria have been directed to immediately withdraw consumer goods with incomplete, misleading or deceptive labels from the market.

The directive was contained in a public advisory issued by the commission’s management and shared on its official X account on Tuesday.

Market surveillance and routine inspections revealed,

FCCPC noted, an increasing number of products being sold without essential labelling information required by law.

The commission stated that some products were found with misleading claims, while others lacked production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, country of origin and other mandatory details.

“Market surveillance, routine inspections, and quality assurance activities have revealed products bearing misleading or deceptive information, as well as products without production dates, expiry or best-before dates, batch numbers, manufacturer details, ingredient lists, allergen information, country of origin, and other mandatory labelling information,” the FCCPC said.

The commission noted that it is empowered by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, to enforce compliance with product labelling standards in collaboration with regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria.

It warned that deceptive or incomplete product labels violate consumers’ right to accurate information needed to make informed purchasing decisions and could expose them to health, safety and economic risks.

“Accordingly, the Commission directs all manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers to immediately review their inventories and withdraw from sale any consumer goods that do not comply with applicable labelling requirements,” the statement added.

The FCCPC further warned that businesses that continue to distribute or sell non-compliant products risk regulatory sanctions.

The commission also advised consumers to carefully inspect product labels before purchase and avoid goods with missing, altered, illegible or misleading information.

It urged members of the public to report suspected cases of non-compliance through its official complaint channels, adding that it would intensify market surveillance and enforcement efforts nationwide to strengthen consumer protection.

On World Humanitarian Day, we honour the dedicated workers who provide life-saving aid to millions in need.

We also confront an appalling truth:
Serving others has become more dangerous than ever.

More than a thousand humanitarians have been killed in the last three years.

Most were local staff supporting their own communities.

Countless others narrowly survived being shot at, shelled, bombed, kidnapped, or raped.

Schools and hospitals are coming under fire.

And new tools of war – including armed drones – are posing fresh risks.

At the same time, disinformation is eroding trust.

Humanitarian funding is being cut.

And humanitarian access is being restricted.

We see aid convoys blocked.

Aid workers threatened, arrested, and detained.

And people in desperate need left without support.

Attacks on humanitarian workers are illegal.

And the consequences are devastating.

For families struggling to survive.
Children waiting for food.

Patients seeking urgent care.

And so many more.
The world has made commitments.

Now it must act:
To respect the rules of war;
Ensure safe access;
Hold perpetrators accountable;
And provide sufficient resources.

Humanitarian workers stand up for people in need.

We must stand up for them.

We must act for humanity – now.

Speech by

Antonio Guterres: UN Secretary-General