The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has
disclosed that the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was
helping herdsmen to create the Ruga settlement across the country.
This was disclosed by the General Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Uthman
Ngelzarma, while appearing on Channels Television programme Sunrise
Daily.
Recall that Buhari government had disclosed that it was working towards establishing Ruga settlements for herdsmen in 12 pilot states nationwide.
Mohammadu Umar, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known in Abuja recently.
However, Ngelzarma assured that Nigerians would fully enjoy the
benefits of animal husbandry when the programme has been successfully
completed.
Ngelzerma also maintained that not only Fulani men were herdsmen.
He said, “This Ruga settlement model is a component part of the
livestock development and transformation plan that is being implemented
under the Office of the Vice-President. It is a component part of it.
“All must agree with me that the crisis we are facing today has
become a multi-dimensional one and so the approach must also be
holistic. It was the desire of the Federal Government to take a holistic
approach that gave birth to the Ruga settlement model and it is not
only for Fulani herders.
“In southern Kaduna, there are natives who are also herders. Even in
Plateau, there are other groups that are herders. It was intended for
the herders as part of efforts by the government to come up with an
economic model of solving this crisis.
“This is an integrated settlement that will bring about the
production of pasture grass, water, schools, markets, meat and milk
processing and where it can create a sub-sector of the economy. This is
something that if done properly, it will create a lot of employment.”
Ngelzerma appealed to Nigerians to support the model and give peace a
chance, stressing that only states that approved of the model would
have Ruga settlements.
“It is a misunderstood concept to some people. The lands are under
the control of governors. This model is a trial. It will be done in 12
states to see if it can work or not. Even we, from the side of the
herders, have our reservations,” he added.