The Northern Governors’ Forum, NGF, has resolved to work with relevant
stakeholders to secure Nigeria’s borders and register Fulani immigrants
entering into the country to rear cattle, noting that most of the herdsmen
involved in issues of insecurity are immigrants from Senegal and Mali.
Chairman of the Forum, Mr Kashim Shettima of Borno State, disclosed this
to journalists at the end of the forum’s meeting in Kaduna State,
yesterday.
According to him, “we also mapped out new strategies that would be used by
the local Fulani herdsmen to rear their cattle without having to move
across the country.”
Shettima emphasised the need for every Nigerian to see security as his or
her business, pointing out that the nation would remain backward if there
was no peace.
On the indigene/settler dichotomy, the governor said there was a push by
the forum towards national integration and cohesion so that every Nigerian
could conveniently settle in any part of the country without suffering any
form of discrimination.
“Some of the past governors of Kano State, like the late Sabo Bakin Zawo,
from Niger and Ibrahim Shekarau, from Borno, were not indigenes
technically, but were assimilated and even attained the highest office in
Kano,” he said.
He acknowledged that the country was experiencing lots of challenges,
particularly in Northern region, but expressed optimism that things would
get better.
The joint meeting, which had northern traditional council of emirs and
chiefs in attendance, discussed issues of insecurity, the management of
common assets and measures to move the region to greater heights.