Miyetti Allah advocates creation of two Federal Ministries for herders

By Editor

Fulani socio-cultural association, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has called for the establishment of Federal Ministries of Nomadic Affairs and Livestock Development to address the issues affecting herders in the country.

The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of its expanded National Executive Committee (NEC) and State Chairmen meeting, in Abuja. 

The document which was jointly signed by Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo (National President) and Engr. Saleh Alhassan (National Secretary), explained that while the Ministry of Nomadic Affairs would be mandated to broaden educational opportunities and address pastoralist challenges, the Ministry of Livestock Development would see to the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) before May 29, 2023.

Miyetti Allah also called for the overhauling of Nigeria security and justice systems to address cases of injustices and access to justice by pastoralists.

The communique reads, "The meeting called for the immediate Designation, Gazetting and Development of all the 415 grazing reserves across the states of the Federation as the only first strategic step in addressing the challenges confronting Fulani herders in Nigeria. This will include building of earth dams and solar boreholes, building of veterinary clinics, development of diary (milk) collection centres.

"The meeting called on the establishing the Federal Ministry of Nomadic Affairs whose mandate is to broaden educational opportunities and address pastoralist challenges.

"The meeting expressed appreciation to and commend the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for his commitment to livestock development, enhancing security and general welfare of the pastoralist community in Nigeria.

"We appeal to Mr. President to ensure the creation of full-fledged Ministry for Livestock Development that will see to the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan before the end of his tenure.

"The meeting observed the need for overhauling of Nigeria security and justice systems to address cases of injustices and access to justice by pastoralist as many of our youths are languishing in detention centers across the country."

Miyetti Allah noted that it was no longer news that extra-judicial mass killings had become the order of the day in many communities in the country.

The organization, however, said that contrary to the general belief that pastoralists were behind this crime, they also were victims of this misdemeanor.

It added, "The meeting dismissed the consistent claims of farmers-herders conflicts as major setback of instability and insecurity in Nigeria. but rather the conflicts are exacerbated by activities of states sponsored vigilantes and tribal hordes who willfully continue to carryout extra judicial killings of Fulani Pastoralists

"The meeting noted with dismay the recent genocidal massacre of Fulani pastoralists in Taraba state and called on the Inspector General of Police to set up a high power panel to unmasked those responsible for the dastardly acts and ensure justice is done to the victims' families to avoid people resorting to self help."

While condemning the alleged profiling of pastoralists by the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Miyetti Allah described his behaviour as erratic.

"The meeting condemned the continuous profiling of Fulani pastoralists by the beleaguered Governor of Benue Samuel Ortom through his satanic anti-grazing law that he has been using to officially consficate and auction millions of cattle belonging to Fulanis in Benue- Nasarawa, Benue, and Benue-Taraba boarder communities. 

"Consequently, we are calling on the security agencies to closely monitor the criminal behavior of the Benue state governor because his apparent mental instability is responsible for continuous conflicts in the Benue valley," the communique also read.