A Fulani community leader, Alhaji Dodo Oroji, has appealed to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to address the problems of grazing reserves and stop cattle rustling in order to save fulani herdsmen in the country. Oroji made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Kaduna.
Oroji advised the government to devise a new policy to settle the herdsmen in one place, so as to maximally tap the economic benefit of their vocation.He said it was important to properly tackle the two problems which had resulted in conflicts, avoidable deaths and loss of means of livelihood to hundreds of cattle breeders cross the country.
“Once you halt cattle breeders from migrating from one country to another in search of food for their animal and families, you not only ensure their safety but also have the opportunity to tap the vast economic benefits from their occupation.”
Oroji said it was important for the Federal Government to provide strategic grazing reserves and social amenities including schools, water and health services across the country, to keep the herders from moving about.
He argued that most herdsmen would prefer to remain in one place if the government would take care of some of their basic problems.
The community leader further appealed to the government to provide training on modern methods of animal husbandry to enhance economic activities in the sub sector.
“Everyday Nigeria loses millions of Naira due to migration of herdsman to other African countries for their safety and that of their animals as a result of continued clashes with farmers and many other factors that contribute to their movement.”
Oroji urged the three tiers of government in the country to respond positively to the issue of frequent cattle rustling which has negative consequences on the economic wellbeing of the cattle breeders and overall national security. NAN
