MACBAN seeks collaboration to end farmer-herder clashes     

Herders

The National Deputy Director-General of  Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gidado Siddiki, has called on Nigerians to introduce and implement pro-poor policies and programmes that not only provide for an enabling environment but also encourage Nigerians to live in peace and harmony.

Making this known to newsmen at Garriki Cattle Market, Amansea,  Awka North Local Council Area of the state, in a goodwill Sallah message to Nigerians in Awka, the state capital,  yesterday, he said that the major problem fueling the fire of insecurity is untruthful behaviours or acts.

He called on the Nigerian leaders to embrace truth and unity as a way out of the myriads of problems facing the country. The MACBAN leader also observed that man’s existence in any part of the world is at the mercy and grace of Allah, stressing that there should be no room for discrimination on the ground of tribe, race, religion, gender or colour.

He urged Nigerians from different tribes to truthfully pursue peace and unity, warning that most West African nations may not easily accept Nigerian refugees in times of national crisis or outbreak of civil war.

The National Deputy Director-General called on the national and state Assembly members to legislate for security, welfare and good governance of every Nigerian, irrespective of his/her state of origin or residence as their representatives.

Siddiki equally called for the establishment of the Peace, Truth and Reconciliation Commission to chart the path on how Nigerian people from different tribes can live together peacefully without hindering their businesses.

The former South East Zonal Chairman of NACBAN said that there is no truth behind the call for establishment of ranches instead of open grazing,  arguing that no state can afford to release the required hectares of land required by thousands of cattle breeders in the country for ranching.

He further disclosed that the modern system of ranching is not known to cattle rearers, warning that any form of use  of force to introduce a strange cattle breeding policy for herders will neither go down well with them nor bring the expected lasting peace, citing Benue State that operates anti-opening grazing but has no peace.