The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cattle breeders

  • GANDUJE’S WINDOW OF HOPE

    GANDUJE’S WINDOW OF HOPE

    How far can Kano governor’s offer end herdsmen, farmers crisis? Our position on govt’s plan-Kano cattle breeders

    When the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture embarked on negotiation with states to provide lands for cattle ranches in 2016, in a bid to tackle the challenges of incessant clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers across the country, Kano was among the 11 states that provided 55, 000 hectares of land for that purpose.

    Apart from acceding to the request of the Federal Government, Kano also has about seven cattle ranches built and maintained by the state government. The ranches located on strategic areas within the hinterland are spread across three senatorial districts. Among them are Tiga Cattle Ranch located closely to Tiga Dam; Dambatta Cattle Ranch, Kadawa Cattle Ranch, Dangora Cattle Ranch, Bagauda Cattle

    Ranch, Bunkure Cattle Ranch and Rano Cattle Ranch.

    Findings by our correspondent, who visited some of the locations revealed that Fulani herdsmen who occupy the ranches are living in peace and harmony with farmers and the host communities. Unlike neighbouring states which recorded spates of herdsmen/farmers clashes, The Nation can authoritatively report that Kano State has never been a scene of violence.

    Findings revealed that in most of the cattle ranches, grazing reserves and stock routes were established by the first military governor of Kano State, late Commissioner of Police, Audu Bako. Though successive governments abandoned some of the ranches and grazing reserves, resulting in unnecessary encroachment by land-grabbers, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration has continued to ensure adequate and proper maintenance of the ranches through the state’s Ministry of Agriculture. It should also be noted that Kano boasts of over 455 grazing reserves across the 44 local government areas where cattle and other livestock graze freely without encroaching into farm lands.

    Showing concern over the trend of killings and wanton destruction of properties linked to the several clashes between herdsmen and farmers, Ganduje last Sunday, called on all Fulani herdsmen resident in other parts of the country, especially Benue and Taraba states, to relocate to Kano since the state has vast grazing land to accommodate them and their cattle.  Ganduje stated this while inspecting the vaccination of over one million cattle and other small animals, free-of-charge at Kadawa artificial insemination centre in Garum Malam Local Government Area of the state. At the venue of the vaccination, which was part of activities marking the 2017/2018 livestock vaccination programme, Ganduje condemned the recent killings emanating from clashes between farmers and herdsmen describing the development as ‘unacceptable’.

    Speaking further during the occasion tagged, “Towards Conservation of Livestock Resource and Animal Protein for Citizens of Kano,” Governor Ganduje said the exercise was organized in order to keep the animals healthy and improve the economy of the state. According to him, the over one million cattle and small animals vaccinated for free will be free of animal diseases, adding that his administration is committed to the welfare and economic wellbeing of Fulani herdsmen. He further stated that as part of the government’s commitment to encourage herdsmen in the state, Kano State government has continued to provide facilities that will contain the herdsmen and their cattle so as to prevent them from travelling to other states in search of grazing lands.

    Extending invitations to herdsmen from other parts of the country

    Ganduje also stated that Fulani herdsmen of Kano origin do not move out of Kano to other states “because we have enough grazing land, ranches and traditional stock route. So, they don’t have any reason to move out of the state. We take care of them and we accord them the respect and dignity they deserve. I am inviting herdsmen from all parts of Nigeria to relocate to Kano because we have enough facilities to accommodate them.”

    The governor further revealed that his administration is in collaboration with the Federal Government and foreign agencies to convert the Falgore Game Reserve into a modern and standard grazing land.

    According to him, “Falgore Game Reserve can take care of millions of herdsmen and their cattle in Nigeria. The place has been designed to contain schools, human and animal clinics, markets, recreational centres and other social amenities that can give the herdsmen enough comfort to take care of their animals and do their business without hindrance. These killings must stop. We cannot afford to continue to witness these senseless killings in the name of Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash over lack of grazing land while we have a place like the Falgore Game Reserve under-utilized.

    “There is no longer fear of cattle rustling in Kano. Cattle rustling is history because we fought the menace headlong. Those rustlers have relocated elsewhere, while some of them who repented from their evil

    Ways were given amnesty and rehabilitated.”

    Ganduje also said that his administration has embarked on the registration of herdsmen and their cattle to enable government take care of them through free vaccination and other incentives that will add value to their business. Also, he disclosed that a cattle intervention centre has been established to address the challenges associated with rumination of herdsmen within Kano.

    “Recently, we sponsored the training of over 61 Fulani who were sent to Turkey to learn artificial insemination. They are back to Kano and I must tell you that they are doing well in various places where they have been assigned to do their job.”

    Corroborating the governor, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, disclosed that the state government also sponsored 150 youths who were trained at Leventis Foundation at the Agricultural School in Panda. The students who were trained in modern agriculture for them to be self-reliant, were given N30,000 each as a take-off capital to succeed in their field.

    Our position on govt’s plan – Kano cattle breeders

    Reacting to Ganduje’s offer, a senior member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, as well as the Secretary of Kano State Nomadic Jauros Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Shuaibu Bayero, embraced Governor Ganduje’s olive branch, describing it as an enduring solution to the lingering Fulani herdsmen and farmers clashes.  However, he regretted that the state government has not provided accommodation, particularly for the Fulani herdsmen he is inviting from other parts of the country.

    He advised that the state government should make enough space available to the Fulanis residing in Kano before thinking of inviting others in the country. Bayero further emphasized the necessity for the state government to first and foremost provide the basic facilities and infrastructure that will make life comfortable for the Fulani herdsmen in Kano before inviting those from Benue and Taraba states to relocate to Kano.

    “In Kano to date, we do not have a proposed or modern grazing reserve.

    We proposed five modern grazing reserves in Kano, which the state government is yet to actualise,” he stated, adding: “The existence of a committee about 10 years ago, known as Farmers/ Pastoralist Conflict Resolution, was responsible for the peaceful co-existence between farmers and Fulani herdsmen in Kano”, he said.

    Bayero further advised the state government to provide facilities such as earth dam, borehole, veterinary clinic, medical centres, Nomadic Islamiya schools, as well as mini-market for selling cow milk and police post among others.

    “We are advising Governor Ganduje to provide grazing reserves at Ugogo, Zaura Village, Ajingi, Gaya and many more, all of which have been proposed since 2008, which are yet to be attended to,” he said.

    We plan to make herdsmen comfortable in Kano – State govt Speaking further on how Kano has been able to avert the problem of herdsmen/farmers clash, Gawuna said Ganduje’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of herdsmen in the state contributed immensely to the prevailing peaceful co-existence between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

    Gawuna who is also the chairman, state Committee on Maintenance and Sustenance of Cattle Routes and Grazing Reserves, said the state government in collaboration with the Federal Government has concluded plans to erect infrastructure and social amenities in over 48 demarcated grazing lands out of the 455 so that herdsmen and their family will live a comfortable life.

    “We have made sure farmers get all the support they need to succeed in their endeavours. In the same vein, we do also carry them along because they are very important to us. Apart from providing them with enough ranches, grazing reserves and stock routes, we always make sure that they have good relationship with farmers in their host communities. I am proud to tell you that Kano State has never recorded herdsmen/farmers clash and we are very happy about that.”

    The Nation also learnt that a proposal has been sent to President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to convert the Falgore Game Reserve into a grazing land for livestock. The state government is also partnering with foreign agencies in order to build an infrastructure that would further enhance the well-being of the herdsmen and boost the economy of the state.

  • Protesters lock down Makurdi

    Protesters lock down Makurdi

    Protesters on Wednesday locked down Makurdi the Benue state capital over the outburst of cattle breeders against signing into law the anti-open grazing bill.

    The law provides that cattle breeders must ranched their animals or risk jail.

    The protest was organised by National Council of Tiv Youths (NCTY) led by its National President Chief John Akperashi.

    The protesters in their hundreds matched through all major streets of Makurdi and stormed Government House where Governor Samuel Ortom addressed them.

    Some on their placard reads: “Open grazing is the Law”,” arrest Meyatti Allah all now “.

    There was traffic gridlock on Kashim Ibrahim road up to the Government House round about as the protesters match through and sang solidarity songs in support of Anti-open grazing law.

    National President of National Council of Tiv Youths Chief Akperashi presented a letter to Governor Ortom for onward transmission to Mr President.

    Chief Akperashi described the activities of Meyatti Allah who opposed to the anti-open grazing law as security threat to the Nation and farmers in particular.

    He said Tiv Youths are in totally support of anti-open grazing law and commended Governor Ortom for signing the law.

    Governor Ortom on his party assured the protesters that his administration has put in structures to implement the anti-open grazing law.

    The government commended the protesters for their orderly conduct.

     

  • Cattle breeders and national butchering

    I begin this piece with the report of the 2014 ‘national’ election of the executive of Miyetti as recorded by Google and to convince Nigerians that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is just a Business Association like the Carpenters Guild, like the Fishermen Association of Delta, like the Farmers Association of Igbeti.
    MACBAN, according to Premium Times report has elected a new set of ‘national’ leaders to run the activities of the organisation for the next four years. The election was conducted Saturday in Sokoto at the national congress of the body. MACBAN is the apex body of all Fulani cattle breeders in Nigeria.
    In a keenly contested poll, Muhammad Kirowa emerged as National President with 97 votes. He defeated Bello Wamakko from Sokoto State who got 32 votes. Yarima Dangirga from Kaduna state got five votes, Mai Aliyu from Yobe State got nine votes and Saidu Maikano from Plateau State got one vote. Hussein Bosso from Niger State and Jauro Gari from Bauchi States were elected 1st and 2nd Vice President respectively. The election for National secretary was keenly contested between Sale Bayari from Plateau State and Baba Usman Ngelzarma from Yobe State. Mr. Usman Ngelzarma emerged as winner after netting 92 votes against 61 netted by Mr. Bayari. Ismaila Ribeji from Katsina was elected PRO while Abubakar Bello – Sarkin shanun Gombe emerged as Treasurer. Adamu Isa Muhammad was elected as National Youth Leader.
    Apparently there is nothing national about this purely Fulani outfit. It has become necessary to make this clarification in view of the recent statement credited to the Secretary General of the Fulani Herdsmen that the Benue State Governor has no constitutional right to evict the slaughtering Fulani herdsmen from his state after almost 1000 lives had been lost to the butchering herdsmen terrorising his state. The Secretary General had said: “we are wary of the statement allegedly credited to the governor requesting herdsmen to relocate out of the state.’’
    Mr. Usman-Ngelzarma described the statement by the governor as “unconstitutional” and said herdsmen could not be exempted from enjoying similar rights of free movement as being enjoyed by other Nigerians. ”We demand that the laws of the land must be allowed to function without let or hindrance,” he said.
    Mr. Ortom, the Governor of Benue State had given Fulani herdsmen in Tombo-Mbalagh, Buruku Local Government Area of Benue, two days to leave the area following a weekend attack in which eight people died.
    The Fulani herdsmen regarded as the world’s 4th bloodiest terrorist group cannot be described as a ‘peaceful’ association to be accorded free movement as they plunder the farmlands all over the country.
    The Unitary Government in Abuja must wake up to its responsibilities and stop condoning the recklessness and the marauding brutish onslaught of the Fulani herdsmen. What the Federal Government should know, which it has pretended to be blind and deaf to, is that the Miyetti Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria is an ordinary business organisation. It is an Association like the Okada Riders Association of Nigeria.
    Some state governments have had cause to ban the Okada Riders Association in some areas of the state. Miyetti Cattle Breeders is not a Federal Government Corporation. Cattle Breeders are the same as fish farmers or Tuber or Cocoa farmers. It is not the business of the Federal Government to treat the rampaging Fulani herdsmen as sacred cows.
    Nigerians are tired of the condoned excesses of the butchering Fulani herdsmen and the earlier the Abuja Government summons appropriate political will to deal with this nauseating mess the better for the future corporate existence of this suffering country.
    The Fulani herdsmen are encouraged to behave as if they are above the laws of the land. They are the only sacred body allowed to parade AK47 rifles without challenge or hindrance. Even armed robbers and kidnappers still hide their weapons. But the Fulani herdsmen, the Miyetti Allah terrorists, go from farmland to farmland across the country brandishing deadly weapons and plundering, maiming, killing and raping owners of farmlands being destroyed.
    Abuja must act today, and treat the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen, as just an Association, a business group like any other trade group, which should not be allowed to indulge in criminal activities.
    Nigeria is not the only country in the world breeding cows. Nigeria does not have 1% of the cattle in Argentina or Australia. Those countries’ herdsmen run their business in ranches without disturbing the peace of their neighbours or destroying the businesses of other people.
    Unless there is an ulterior political motive to the Fulani herdsmen brigandage, this butchering across the country MUST stop.

    •Chief Adeniyi is a former Chairman/MD Daily Times, and a former Federal Permanent Secretary in the Presidency

  • Cattle breeders deny involvement in ethno-religious violence nationwide

    A group, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied claims in some quarters that its members were involved in ethno-religious killings in some states across the country.

    The group’s National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma said,  in a statement yesterday, urged security agencies to investigate those linking his group’s members to incidents of violence. Ngelzama, who commiserated with the people of Southern Kaduna, Delta and other states over recent  cases of attack and killings, said his group will continue to condemn perpetrators of evil regardless the groups or individuals involved.

    “Precisely on the 9th December, 2016, one of our members was killed while ten of his cows were also allegedly killed by some elements from the Nimbo community in Enugu State, who crossed over to Idah Local Government area of Kogi State to commit the said crime.

    “Then, some unscrupulous members of Igah community in Uzoajeh Local Government of Enugu State crossed over to Omasi in Anambra, killing twenty-two cows belonging to our members.

    “This was followed by the killing of two of our members at Rugan Alahji Quadri, then five others were reportedly killed

    in Lushi, and worst still Fulani settlements of Bomaanda, Jollari (Garin Ardo Bakari) and Lande Jewshi were allegedly burnt down by some elements of Mumuyeh community in Lau Local Government of Taraba State.

    “On that same fateful day, one of our members was also killed in a community close to Ganye in Jada Local Government area of Adamawa simply because some of his cows mistakenly strayed and damaged a few molded blocks in a block making factory.

    “We were also notified of the killing of two villagers by Herdsmen in Ehuvu, in Ughelli North local government area.

    “In recent times, precisely two Herdsmen were brutally killed on 7th January 2017 at Omobanam east in Anambra State for presumably ritual purposes.

    “In all the reported cases, our timely intervention by calling for restraint amongst our members helped forstalled the looming reprisal attacks.”

  • Fulani cattle breeders protest killing of members

    Fulani cattle breeders protest killing of members

    Fulani cattle breeders in Oyo State under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria have dissociated themselves from the destruction of farm lands in Ogbomoso and some areas in Oke Ogun allegedly by cattle rearers.

    Insisting that members of their association are law abiding residents of the state, they also frowned at the killing of two of their members, Abdu Chika and Buba Kajere, purportedly by some farmers.

    While disclosing that four suspects have been apprehended by security agents over the incident, the association in his reaction to the recent protest to the state House of Assembly by the Federation of Ogbomoso Students Union and some farmers, who alleged that the grazing activities of Fulani herdsmen have been causing damages to their farmlands, Chairman of the association, Alhaji Yakubu Bello, described the allegation against his members as false.

    The students led by Comrade Alagbe Lukman, had stormed the State House of Assembly last week with placards that read: ‘Cows must leave our lands; Fulani cannot stay; Cows are causing damages to our farms’, to mention but a few.

    Speaking with journalists in Iseyin yesterday after a meeting, Bello accompanied by his Assistant Secretary, Umar Garuba and youth leader, Alhaji Yusuff Haruna, dissociated members of his association from the destructive activities on farmlands in the affected areas, stressing that his group was ready to cooperate with their host communities and security agencies to ensuring a peaceful co-existence.

  • Emir warns farmers, cattle breeders

    The Emir of Argungu in Birni Kebbi,Kebbi State, Alhaji Samaila Mera, has warned farmers and cattle breeders in the emirate against actions that will lead to any clash in the area.

    Mera, who spoke with newsmen in Argungu, said the emirate would not condone any clash between farmers and cattle breeders over animal grazing and urged them to respect their mutual interests.

    The Emir also called on district and village heads to ensure farmers do a quick harvest as well as ensure that cattle breeders are refrained from leading their herds into farmlands that had not been cleared for grazing.

    “The farmers and cattle breeders contribute to the social and economic development of the area but each group needs to live in harmony and avoid any clashes this year,” he said.

    Mera used the occasion to call on people in the emirate to be proactive on security issues and especially keep a closer look on strangers coming into the area.