As much as cattle rearing is predominantly undertaken by Fulanis, with fewer ethnic groups doing same.
I feel it is ideal we dwell on the subject in order to drive home some points.
What I read as comments coming from Nigerians whose opinions form part of those used to chart the national course, takes me a bit aback.
On a note, a serving senator of the federal republic, stood up in defence of his kinsmen, that they are no kidnappers and further said they don't indulge in crime. It is honorable for one to be there for his / her kinsmen. That should not becloud our reasoning that " for every twelve, there must be a Judas"
Another one eminent person, went again in defence of his kinsmen that they are at liberty to feed their cattle.
To all of us, our actions, utterances goes a long way in shaping our dear country. Yeah, it makes or mar the polity.
I am extremely overwhelmed by those comments and more to come.
Cattle rearing like any agricultural venture is a business of immense financial benefits to the practitioners.
The very reason we should be viewing it from such perspective rather than that of right or privilege of any person, group, tribe or ethnicity.
As a business, just like any other. Many of the protagonists of the Fulanis especially those who rear / raise / breed cattle are not fair to them, neither are they to the farmers on whose efforts the cattle go grazing.
In the case of a leader who in the course of mediating in the Crop Farmers' / Cattle farmers' face-off. He was quoted to say the farmers should fence their farmlands in order to bar cattle from entry.
Logically, as the cattle and their owners have a right to life and existence. Their own right should "never " deprive farmers right to cultivation, and good harvest. Let us put ourselves in the shoes of the farmers, who clear the land, wait for the right time to plant, weed the plantation regularly and in anticipation of a bounty harvest, someone directs cattle in the direction of the plantation to eat up the green pasture, thus depriving the poor farmer, the benefit of his efforts.
The perennial conflicts can be resolved by making the cattle breeders realize, they are doing a very viable business, just as the farmers are doing. Enough of siding or backing our kinsmen, in the face of clear wrong doing. Can we display statesmanship, by telling whoever care to listen?
I up till this moment believe in the Nigerian project.
For it to work, we have to be factual to one another.
I know we will have those who raise cattle in enclosed ranches in the north and several parts of Nigeria. Also do we have farmers, those who engage in animal husbandry as well as crop cultivation.
D. N. Olayiwola
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