The General Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders
Association of Nigeria, Baba Uthman Ngelzarma, says Vice-President
Yemi Osinbajo’s office is helping the herdsmen to create Ruga
settlements across the country.
Ngelzerma boasted that when the programme has been successfully
completed, Nigerians would fully enjoy the benefits of animal
husbandry.
The settlement secretary said this on Sunrise Daily, a programme
on Channels Television.
Southern socio-cultural groups including Afenifere and Ohanaeze
Ndi Igbo; as well as the Middle Belt Forum have all rejected the
Ruga initiative.
However, Ngelzerma said not only Fulani men were herders, adding
that herdsmen of all tribes would benefit.
He said, “This Ruga settlement model is a component part of the
livestock development and transformation plan that is being
implemented under the Office of the Vice-President. It is a
component part of it.
“All must agree with me that the crisis we are facing today has
become a multi-dimensional one and so the approach must also be
holistic. It was the desire of the Federal Government to take a
holistic approach that gave birth to the Ruga settlement model and
it is not only for Fulani herders.
“In southern Kaduna, there are natives who are also herders.
Even in Plateau, there are other groups that are herders. It was
intended for the herders as part of efforts by the government to
come up with an economic model of solving this crisis.
“This is an integrated settlement that will bring about the
production of pasture grass, water, schools, markets, meat and milk
processing and where it can create a sub-sector of the economy.
This is something that if done properly, it will create a lot of
employment.”
He urged Nigerians to support the model and give peace a chance
even as he claimed that only states that approved of the model
would have Ruga settlements.
“It is a misunderstood concept to some people. The lands are
under the control of governors. This model is a trial. It will be
done in 12 states to see if it can work or not. Even we, from the
side of the herders, have our reservations,” he said.
When asked if it was right for the government to spend
taxpayers’ money on what would benefit herders alone, Ngelzerma
argued that crop farmers had similarly benefitted in the past.
He said southerners benefit from animal husbandry more than the
northern herdsmen who rear the cattle.
Subscribe ToNairalaw News!
Read more osinbajos-office-helping-us-create-ruga-settlements-miyetti-allah/