The National Orientation Agency, in collaboration with The Orange Shelter Foundation (TOSF) organized a one day symposium to address the issue of Farmer/Herdsmen conflict in Nigeria. The second part of the event is the Launch of a book titled, “Nigeria: 100 Years of History”. The keynote speaker at the event, Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, The Chief Servant, said the conflict between farmers and herdsmen can be handled by individual states before the federal government can come in. He gave example of how he has been able to bring peace among farmers and herdsmen in Niger state, through provision of permanent grazing grounds and pathways for cows. He advised other governors to emulate him.
Engr. Saleh Alhassan Kubah, the National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-Cultural Association was at the event to represent his association. He said the organizers of the event meant well for Nigeria as they promised to give the proceeds from the book launch to the victims of the Farmer/Herdsmen conflict. He commended stakeholders for having taken proactive measures in tackling the problem. He then stated the need to for all stakeholders to key into the project initiated by TOSF.
The Permanent Secretary, Livestock/Fisheries Dev., Niger State, Mrs. Anna Gogo Lanko expressed joy over the initiative by TOSF geared towards proffering solution to the conflict between farmer/herdsmen in Nigeria. She corroborated the governor of her state by saying that the Niger state has succeeded in bringing peace among farmers and herdsmen in the state by creating grazing reserves and path ways. According to her, herdsmen in the state have been asked to settle down and at the end of the transport only meat instead of live cow, as it is done in developed nations.
The event was anchored by Jennifer Eliogu of Silk Project Entertainment. She is a renowned Nollywwood actress, a compere and a musician. She told our correspondent that agreed to be part the event because of the good intentions of the initiators of the project for Nigeria and Nigerians. She made it known to our reporter that she does not accept jobs because of the money but because of things like; the character of people involved, the benefit of such event to mankind etc.
An attendant from Niger State, Mrs. V. L. Sakaba commended the organizers for the laudable project and noted that the event was timely as Nigerians need absolute unity to fight her enemies.
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