NIGERIA: Herdsmen Seek Special Ministry for Livestock Production

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Government at all levels have been urged to consider the establishment of a special ministry for livestock production, separate from the conventional Ministry of Agriculture as a move that would help address the lingering Fulani herdsmen/famers conflict in the country.

The chairman, National Association of Fulani Herdsmen (Miyetti Allah) Jigawa State chapter, Alhaji Ya'u Haruna, made the call while fielding questions from journalists in Dutse.

He said the establishment of a separate ministry for livestock production with its budgetary allocation would give an opportunity to the government to accord priority to the demarcation and improvement of grazing land, renovation and construction of standard veterinary centres and modern abattoir, for the overall benefit of the people.

"I believed that if such measures are taken, it would help to curb the mass migration of Fulani pastoralists and address the incessant clashes with the farmers," he said,

He stated that, Fulani pastoralists who are major stakeholders in livestock production were not enjoying or receiving any appreciable intervention from the allocation given to ministry for agriculture adding that this was one of the major factor responsible for their predicament.

The Miyyetti chairman also called on the security chiefs and authorities concerned to always work closely with community leaders at the grassroots in tackling any social and security challenges.

The chairman however commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, for assisting the association to organise and conduct a free and fair election for the national executive members to emerged and which is worthy of emulation to any electable leader and Electoral Commissions throughout the Country.

He then congratulate the new national executives of Miyetti Allah, and urge them to lead the association with patriotism, selflessness commitment, justice, fairness and above all fear of Allah, so as to build the confidence of their followers.

Ya'u also charged the new officials to look at the currents security challenges particularly the issue of Fulani/famers clash as their first assignment in oneed to do by joined hands with other stakeholder to find lasting Office and a lasting solution to it.