By Bashir Mayere; Editing by Basirat Memudu
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has reaffirmed its stands firmly for peace, responsible pastoralism, dialogue, partnership, and national development.
The National President of the Association, Baba Usman Nganzarma made the commitment during a conference for the pastoralists in Abuja.
He said the objective of the conference is to sensitise the pastoralists on the need to join hands together in modernising the pastoral business, Fulani communities, to live in harmony with other stakeholders for sustainable development in Nigeria
The National leader assured that MACBAN rejects violence and criminality in all forms, saying they embrace constructive engagement, mutual respect, and the rule of law as the only enduring path to national unity and shared prosperity.
He said MACBAN is committed to envision a Nigeria where farmers and pastoralists are respected partners in national development; where every law-abiding citizen enjoys equal protection under the law; where livestock production is modern, productive, environmentally sustainable and globally competitive.
Baba Usman added that they are determined to ensure Nigeria becomes a country where quality, safe, and affordable animal protein is accessible to every household; where peace, justice, and shared prosperity define our collective future.
“Our vision extends beyond addressing today’s challenges. We seek to build a livestock industry that is peaceful, productive, climate-resilient and globally competitive – one that creates employment, attracts investment, supports industrial growth, improves nutrition and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.”
In his speech, the Minister of livestock development, Professor Idi Maiha said the structures of leadership that MACBAN has at the national, state, and local government levels have provided an opportunity
to easily reach the pastoralist communities in different parts of the country.
The Minister explained that the establishment of the Ministry of Livestock Development is part of the goals of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at promoting peace create jobs and improve livelihoods.
” This is to promote peace and harmony between farmers and herders, create jobs,
modernize the sector, contribute to eradicating poverty and expanding assistance to the poor, and improve the livelihood of the pastoralists.”
Earlier in his comments, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Saad Abubakar assured that as leaders, they are in total support of what the association is out for, as well as the Ministry of livestock development.
Sultan Saad Abubakar further assured Nigerians that MACBAN is not in support of any form of criminality in Nigeria, and Nigerians should address whoever did wrong with his name only but not associate him with the entire community.
“In every community, there are good and bad ones, so Fulani pastoralist like any other family have similar bad eggs, but bad actions of criminal among them should not be labeled against all Fulani Pastoralist”.
He reassured their readiness to ensure they join forces with authorities in flushing out the bad ones through peaceful means and dialogue, stressing the need for security agencies to redouble efforts in the fight against any form of criminality in Nigeria disregarding from what ever tribe.
