President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Wednesday in Abuja reaffirmed his
administration’s commitment to finding a permanent solution to the
frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers across the country.
The President spoke at an audience with leaders and members of Miyetti
Allah Kautal Hore, a Fulani Socio-Cultural Association who were at the
Presidential Villa to endorse him as their “sole candidate” for the March
28 presidential elections.
The Association also invested President Jonathan as Life Patron of the
Fulani Socio-Cultural Association.
Speaking after his investiture and endorsement for re-election, President
Jonathan thanked the Association for the honour and commended the Fulanis
for their significant contributions to the development of the country.
The President described Fulani pastoralists as a major economic group in
Nigeria and applauded their substantial contributions to food security in
the country.
“Migration of herdsmen and their cattle often lead to clashes between
farmers and herdsmen. Our government will work with you to develop places
where herdsmen can stay and get water and pasture for their animals.
“We are working with some governors and we have a committee that is
looking into the matter to ensure that you no longer pass through much
pains to rear your cattle,” President Jonathan told members of the
association.
The President said that as part of its agenda for positive transformation
in the agricultural sector, his administration was working towards
developing cattle rearing in Nigeria to a level where the nation can earn
higher revenues from meat exports.
“Our plan is to move more of the meat than the animal,’’ he said, adding
that the new initiative will also encourage basic education for young
nomads.
The President remarks was intermittently interrupted with shouts of
“Nigeria, Sai Jonathan’’, “Nigeria, Sai Goodluck.”
Alhaji Abdullah Bello Bodejo, the National President of Miyetti Allah
Kautal Hore thanked the President for receiving members of the
Association.
“We will go back and mobilize our people to support you because you have
the interest of Fulani’s at heart,’’ Alhaji Bodejo who spoke through an
interpreter said.
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State, FCT Minister Bala Mohammed, the
Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, the Director-General of
the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, the Principal
Secretary to the President, Ambassador Hassan Tukur and other Presidential
aides were present at the occcasion.