From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna
The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) and the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria will meet on Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Abuja to find lasting solutions to the incessant crises between herdsmen and farmers in the region.
The forum will also discuss the memorandum submitted to it by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, where he raised several concerns about the insurgency in the North.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said in Minna yesterday that “the forum is now in receipt of Nyako’s memo and would look at the concerns raised by Admiral Nyako with a view to addressing the issues.”
Governor Aliyu who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo in a press statement said members of the forum and leaders of the Miyetti Allah Fulani Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria will fashion out strategies to address the disturbing state of insecurity in the region.
Aliyu according to statement was enthusiastic that the interface between Northern Governors and Miyetti Allah would engender the restoration of the most desired peaceful co-existence, unity and development in the region.
He said the forum intends to work closely with leaders of Miyetti Allah to unmask criminals who masquerade as cattle breeders to inflict mayhem on innocent citizens.
It would be recalled that the decision to dialogue with Miyetti Allah was taken at the last meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) during which governors of the 36 states of the federation constituted a panel headed by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State. It is to work out ways to end incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the troubled region.
It is expected that the meeting would push for a national policy to settle nomads and provide adequate grazing reserves and cattle routes.
The meeting is also expected to make a case for proper demarcation of grazing fields for herdsmen and the adoption of a comprehensive pastoral development programme to reduce constant friction between farmers and herdsmen especially in the Northern parts of the country.
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