By TonyeBarcanista

I have been following conversation on the issue between Nigerians in the business of cattle breeding alias Fulani herdsmen and indigenous farmers in Benue, Taraba and other states majorly in the Northeast, Northcentral and Southwest.

Firstly, I must express my displeasure and utter disappointment in some of our political, ethnic and religious leaders from both sides of the divide, who have been engaging themselves in uttering narratives that were tantamount to hate speeches against those from the other side of the divide, since the unfortunate attacks against innocent citizens from Benue state. While I admit that some of these narrative were products of heightened emotions, I must say that one of the fundamental problems we have in this country is that some of our elites and so-called opinion leaders have the habit of sensationalising every issue by stoking religious and ethnic sentiment in other to play to the gallery and further some inappropriate agenda. This is a sad and very unfortunate.

Secondly, I wish to state that Nigerians must learn to separate criminals and terrorists from their ethnic and religious groups, as well as their trade if we really want to achieve peace, mutual understanding and cooperation. We must learn to distinguish militiamen and terrorists of Fulani extraction that must be brought to justice, from herdsmen that are of Fulani extraction irrespective of whether the terrorists are also into the trade of cattle breeding or not. In fact, it is the right thing to do! As an Ijaw man, I get offended each time I see headlines such as "Ijaw militants" or "Niger Delta militants" because I believe that the narrative was stereotyping people of the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region as people that always take to violence to make known their grievances simply because majority of people that took to militancy and violent agitation are from the region. Same way I would be offended by the narrative of equating Fulani herdsmen as militiamen if I were to be a Fulaniman that is in the business of cattle breeding.

Furthermore, I hold a strong conviction that the call for proscribing “Fulani herdsmen” is inappropriate and misguided as it simply means criminalising people of Fulani ethnic group that are involved in the business of cattle breeding. However, I must state that the appropriate way to tackle these militiamen/terrorists is for federal government and security agencies to start treating every herdsman that goes about with unlicensed firearms as enemies of the State in line with section 28(i) of Firearms Act and other laws.

To avoid future recurrence of the farmer/herdsmen clash, the umbrella body of Cattle breeders, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, MACBAN, should educate their members on the consequences of destroying farmlands in line with relevant laws and ensure that mechanism for adequate compensation of a farmer is in place in a situation where farmlands are invaded by cattle and crops destroyed. This can be achieved when MACBAN partners with the farmers unions and communities where they operate to setup joint monitoring team whose responsibility is to ensure that the lives and crops of farmers are protected, and apprehend or assist in apprehending defaulting herdsmen irrespective of status.

Similarly, the farmers and communities should put mechanism in place to ensure that the lives and cattle of herdsmen within their locality is protected and arrest or assist in arresting members of the community or farmer that default by attacking either the herdsman or the cattle.

Furthermore, I believe that open grazing is an archaic method of cattle breeding and a system that create room for clashes between the cattle breeders and farmers, and this system of cattle breeding should be illegal. In place of it, state governments create grazing fields and put on lease to the cattle breeders through MACBAN. Royalties/rents can be collected from the operators of this field in addition to tax payable to the government by individual operators. This grazing field should be supervised by the state’s ministry of agriculture or a specialised agency. A positive side to this is that it will serve as a pool of revenue generation to the state and will further create employment for teaming youths, as well as boost our dairy industry and agriculture subsector.

Let me state that I am opposed to herdsmen acquiring/buying lands as grazing fields because it will cause problems in future as the issue of land ownership may arise after a couple of years or even decades.

At this juncture I appeal to everyone from all sides of the divide to shun senseless conspiracy theories and narratives that will further polarise the already worsened situation, but instead tow the path that yields true reconciliation and furthers our unity.



May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

By Inioribo S. S. Tamunotonye,
National Coordinator,
Peoples Democratic Party National Youth League
Email: Tonyebarcanista@gmail.com; Writes from Abuja
http://swiftreporters.com/an-insight-on-benue-killings-and-thought-provoking-isssues-on-cattle-breeding-in-nigeria/

Lets put away sentiments here

The facts

Cattle rearing is a Business

If that Business is causing deaths consistently, then it needs to be looked into

It has been looked into and the prognosis is that there is conflict between the nomadic herdsmen and the local farmers

This conflict is deep rooted in some areas and is responsible for the reprisal attacks we read daily

What will I do

1. Stop further grazing in areas of conflict
2. Immediately deploy security agencies to affected areas to hold the peace for at least 6 months
2. Task the Ministry of Agriculture to consult with States willing to harbour grazing reserves
3. Immediately direct MACBAN to start comprehensive documentation and registration of all herdsmen / cattle
4. Have the Government assign grazing land ONLY to registered members of MACBAN which has to be paid for, with a percentage of the income shared with the community hosting the reserve
5. Compensate the communities that have been decimated
6. Commence peace-building among affected localities

That is all!

Any other thing na just talk

This article was painstakingly written....

Comments are welcome

Farts... Abeg when PDP go release funds for 2019 campaign?

Rubbish political statement. Stop beating around the bush and take a stand against criminality.

usba:
Farts... Abeg when PDP go release funds for 2019 campaign?

Are you just trolling ?

You don't like the word Ijaw militants or Niger-Delta militants? Ok, should we call them Australian militants or Khashmiri avengers? Which one?

As for the Fulani cattle rearers, let then form cooperatives, buy land in different parts of the far North (excluding the Middle Belt) and get investors willing to establish cattle ranches, in partnership with them. Chikena!

The cattle owners or breeders are NOT poor men, neither are their patrons. It is the herdsmen that are poor, and these herdsmen hardly own cattle.

Pig breeders, poultry owners, fish farmers, goat rearers do not allow their livestock to graze openly on the farmlands of others. They are raised in enclosed spaces, and any of their animals that stray into the properties of others, will end up landing his owner into the hot soup of a hefty fine, or a huge penalty.

So why should cattle breeders be given preferential treatment? They can establish their cattle ranches or colonies in the far North, and transport such cattle to the Middle Belt or South, using trains and lorries. From the motor park or railway station, their livestock goes straight to the abbatoir. End of story!

laudate:
You don't like the word Ijaw militants or Niger-Delta militants? Ok, should we call them Australian militants or Khashmiri avengers? Which one?

As for the Fulani cattle rearers, let then form cooperatives, buy land in different parts of the far North (excluding the Middle Belt) and get investors willing to establish cattle ranches, in partnership with them. Chikena!

The cattle owners or breeders are NOT poor men, neither are their patrons. It is the herdsmen that are poor, and these herdsmen hardly own cattle.

Pig breeders, poultry owners, fish farmers, goat rearers do not allow their livestock to graze openly on the farmlands of others. They are raised in enclosed spaces, and any of their animals that stray into the properties of others, will end up landing his owner into the hot soup of a hefty fine, or a huge penalty.

So why should cattle breeders be given preferential treatment? They can establish their cattle in the North, and transport it to the Middle Belt or South, using trains and lorries. From the motor park or railway station, it goes straight to the abbatoir. End of story!

It is either you have reading problem or that of comprehension, else, you wouldn't have wrote this.

In every state there is usually parks for commercial cab operators, these parks are not operated by indigenes alone but by Nigerians of different ethnic groups but they are overseen by the state government or FG (in the case of FCT) and a source of revenue. Why didn't you tell the motorists to go buy lands and operate their parks?

In many states, government build blocks of lock-up shops and lease to traders. This system not only make it well coordinated but also attract revenue to the state. Why not go tell each traders to go buy their own lands to build their shops?

Let us try to address issues holistically

Nutase:
Rubbish political statement. Stop beating around the bush and take a stand against criminality.

It is not a must to comment...

OK

TonyeBarcanista:

It is either you have reading problem or that of comprehension, else, you wouldn't have wrote this.

In every state there is usually parks for commercial cab operators, these parks are not operated by indigenes alone but by Nigerians of different ethnic groups but they are overseen by the state government or FG (in the case of FCT) and a source of revenue. Why didn't you tell the motorists to go buy lands and operate their parks?

In many states, government build blocks of lock-up shops and lease to traders. This system not only make it well coordinated but also attract revenue to the state. Why not go tell each traders to go buy their own lands to build their shops?

Let us try to address issues holistically

It is not a must to comment...

You are the one that lacks comprehension. Cattle breeders are in the business to make money. Why can't they raise money to build ranches for their cattle?

Other breeders of various forms of livestock like goats, poultry, ostriches, rabbits, fishes etc., do not ask govt to build ranches for them, do they?

How many tribes breed cows in Nigeria, and live a nomadic lifestyle? Don't be deceived. Cattle owners in Nigeria are among some of the wealthiest individuals in the land, today. How much does a cow cost? And how many are in a herd?

laudate:

You are the one that lacks comprehension. Cattle breeders are in the business to make money. Why can't they raise money to build ranches for their cattle?

Other breeders of various forms of livestock like goats, poultry, ostriches, rabbits, fishes etc., do not ask govt to build ranches for them, do they?

How many tribes breed cows in Nigeria, and live a nomadic lifestyle?

How many tribes deal on spare parts in Nigeria? Should we say that all Igbo traders into spare part should go buy land to build their shops?

I believe that what is appropriate is for the government to build ranch and LEASE to breeders

TonyeBarcanista:

How many tribes deal on spare parts in Nigeria? Should we say that all Igbo traders into spare part should go buy land to build their shops?

I believe that what is appropriate is for the government to build ranch and LEASE to breeders

Please try to be smart. Most Igbo spare parts dealers, build or lease their shops from private owners, and inside market spaces. How many of them did govt build shops for, specifically?

TonyeBarcanista:
This article was painstakingly written....

Comments are welcome

Nice material.

How You Dey?

TonyeBarcanista:

How many tribes deal on spare parts in Nigeria? Should we say that all Igbo traders into spare part should go buy land to build their shops?

I believe that what is appropriate is for the government to build ranch and LEASE to breeders

Why did you use igbos as example is like bomb dey ur head. How does spare parts relate with cattle breeding,?. I don't care if you're older, it's very inappropriate of you to make such an example... Respect ur old age

laudate:

Please try to be smart. Most Igbo spare parts dealers, build or [b]lease their shop[/b]s from private owners, and inside market spaces. How many of them did govt build shops for?

How many Igbo(and other) trader build his shop in Lagos, Abuja or Kano? While some rent from government

The peculiarities of the business is that most times government and private developers BUILD these shops and plazas and give to traders on lease. This is a fact! Else, how many trader will buy land and BUILD his shop for trading?

Again, I used the example of motor parks that flood around all 36 states and FCT

Chidexter:


Why did you use igbos as example is like bomb dey ur head. I don't care if you're older, it's very inappropriate of you to make such an example... Respect ur old age

Funny...

Well, I used Igbo because of the context of my position. Again, how does that sound insulting to the Igbo nation? Do you have any major comprehension deformity?

TonyeBarcanista:


Funny...

Well, I used Igbo because of the context of my position. Again, how does that sound insulting to the Igbo nation? Do you have any major comprehension deformity?

I don talk my own, let sleeping dogs lie, focus on the topic and stop looking for random examples to give.

NCP:



Nice material.

How You Dey?

Thanks bros...

I have been fine, working with young people of our great party, PDP

TonyeBarcanista:
This article was painstakingly written....

Comments are welcome

I think your article is a beautiful trash adorned roses of political correctness.

You express disappointment in utterances of which ethnic, spiritual or cultural leaders exactly? Be clear and brave enough to take a stand here.

What exactly do you mean by sensationalism? The responses to the murder of over 73 persons sensationalism?

How does calling the Miyatti Allah who agreed to killing amount to calling all Fulanis terrorists? How exactly?

A person admitted that he killed over 73 persons because 1000 cows were stolen but it is misguided to call them terrorist? How do you think?

Shun conspiracy theories? Only a people with poor sense of history repeats it. Has the mentality of Uthman Dan Fodio changed?

People like you are more dangerous to their society that the Fulani herdsmen. It is easier to deal with a viper that doesn't camouflage than a sheep that took a course in Janus.

Chidexter:


I don talk my own, let sleeping dogs lie, focus on the topic and stop looking for random examples to give.

I have no reason to drag Igbo into the mud.

Well, I should have used Ijaw fishermen but it wouldn't fit in the context

TonyeBarcanista:

How many Igbo(and other) trader build his shop in Lagos, Abuja or Kano? While some rent from government

The peculiarities of the business is that most times government and private developers BUILD these shops and plazas and give to traders on lease. This is a fact! Else, how many trader will buy land and BUILD his shop for trading?

Again, I used the example of motor parks that flood around all 36 states and FCT

Your example of motor parks is way off tangent and totally unrelated to this issue. How do motor parks spring up? Usually, it starts with transport firms or bus owners or taxi drivers, coming together to designate a rented area beside the road, as a pick up or drop off point. Later as their activities increase, govt steps in and reconstructs those points, into taxi parks.

For bigger transport companies like Young Shall Grow, ABC Transport, God is Good Motors etc, they build their own motorparks or transport terminals outright, or rent space to build it from private developers. So what are you going on about?

Again, you mentioned private developers building shops for traders to lease, so why can't private developers build ranches for the cattle owners? Must it be govt? And in cases where govt builds shops for traders, it sells them outright to members of the public, who then turn round to lease them out to others, such as the spare parts traders.

TonyeBarcanista:

I have no reason to drag Igbo into the mud.

Well, I should have used Ijaw fishermen but it wouldn't fit in the context

Okay sir

Sapiosexuality:
I think your article is a beautiful trash adorned roses of political correctness.

You express disappointment in utterances of which ethnic, spiritual or cultural leaders exactly? Be clear and brave enough to take a stand here.

What exactly do you mean by sensationalism? The responses to the murder of over 73 persons sensationalism?

How does calling the Miyatti Allah who agreed to killing amount to calling all Fulanis terrorists? How exactly?

A person admitted that he killed over 73 persons because a 1000 cows were stolen but it is misguided to call them terrorist? How do you think?

Shun conspiracy theories? Only a people with poor sense of history repeats it. Has the mentality of Uthman Dan Fodio changed?

People like you are more dangerous to their society that the Fulani herdsmen. It is easier to deal with a viper that doesn't camouflage than a sheep that took a course in Janus.

People like you are addressing the issue from the angle of ethnic jingoism and tribal bigotry. To you, anything and everything Fulani must be antagonised and brought down, not because you love the people of Benue, but to further your evil agenda and massage your overbloated ego. I am not like you Sir!

I am not aware that MACBAN agreed to carrying out the killing but I am aware that MACBAN said that the killers should be addressed as killers and not herdsmen.

Once again, I am not interested in ethnic and religious jingoism.

Moreso, my respect for the victims and sensitivity to their plight made me refrain myself from playing politics with it.

TonyeBarcanista:

People like you are addressing the issue from the angle of ethnic jingoism and tribal bigotry. To you, anything and everything Fulani must be antagonised and brought down, not because you love the people of Benue, but to further your evil agenda and massage your overbloated ego. I am not like you Sir!

I am not aware that MACBAN agreed to carrying out the killing but I am aware that MACBAN said that the killers should be addressed as killers and not herdsmen.

Once again, I am not interested in ethnic and religious jingoism.

Moreso, my respect for the victims and sensitivity to their plight made me refrain myself from playing politics with it.

The difference both of us is that I am a homosapien with no political interest and wouldn't suck anyone coc'k to get there but you are a guy who'd say anything to just feed. Not because it's the right thing but because it will bring food to the table.

You are not aware that the Miyatti Allah admitted to killing Benue people because they stole 1000 cows? Okay. Now that I just told you, do you still think they are not terrorists?

The ijaw drunkard and PDP wannabe has resurrected.

See how he's wearing the PDP membership card like a sex doll with a price tag

laudate:


Your example of motor parks is way off tangent and totally unrelated to this issue. How do motor parks spring up? Usually, it starts with transport firms or bus owners or taxi drivers, coming together to designate a rented area beside the road, as a pick up or drop off point. Later as their activities increase, govt steps in and reconstructs those points, into taxi parks.

For bigger transport companies like Young Shall Grow, ABC Transport, God is Good Motors etc, they build their own motorparks or transport terminals outright, or rent space to build it from private developers. So what are you going on about?

Again, you mentioned private developers building shops for traders to lease, so why can't private developers build ranches for the cattle owners? Must it be govt? And in cases where govt builds shops for traders, it sells them outright to members of the public, who then turn round to lease them out to others, such as the spare parts traders.

Once again, how many major transport owners buy land to build parks? Did Chisco, Young, Ifesinachi etc bought the land and built their bus terminals in Jibowu and Festac? Also, I am glad with the emboldened, which is actually what government should do for Cattler breeders.

However, government stepped in to have a coordinated parks due to the fact that the motorists were constituting nuisance and because IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

TonyeBarcanista:

People like you are addressing the issue from the angle of ethnic jingoism and tribal bigotry. To you, anything and everything Fulani must be antagonised and brought down, not because you love the people of Benue, but to further your evil agenda and massage your overbloated ego. I am not like you Sir!

I am not aware that MACBAN agreed to carrying out the killing but I am aware that MACBAN said that the killers should be addressed as killers and not herdsmen.

Once again, I am not interested in ethnic and religious jingoism.

Moreso, my respect for the victims and sensitivity to their plight made me refrain myself from playing politics with it.

When did you beg to be accepted back to PDP?
And must you wear the card like a sex doll with the price tag.
You're indeed shameless and worthless... Spits

Sapiosexuality:
The difference both of us is that I am a homosapien with no political interest and wouldn't suck anyone coc'k to get there but you are a guy who'd say anything to just feed. Not because it's the right thing but because it will bring food to the table.

You are not aware that the Miyatti Allah admitted to killing Benue people because they stole 1000 cows? Okay. Now that I just told you, do you still think they are not terrorists?

Ignore this confused fellow. You give him credibility by quoting him.

Tony shun political correctness and say the truth the way it is. It is political correctness of the so called educated south that made people to keep mute while the whole security apparatus is being handled by those of Hausa and Fulani northern extraction.
It is political correctness that has left the south playing second fiddle to the not so much educated north. Let me tell you the truth,this administration will go down in history as the worst Nigeria has ever had. How do you explain sending army against unarmed ipob civilians who are just making noise,killing so many of them in the process and then proscribing them as terrorist while the armed herdsmen who are killing people everyday are called mere criminals.
Listen man,this is injustice with state backing. Nigeria is heading to either of the two direction; Restructuring or division. Mark my word either of the two must happen.
Again why is it so difficult for the herders to build a ranch,sit in the place and practice the modern system of cattle rearing? Is there something beneath that the ayes are not seeing? Is there an agenda ?

This dude moved from APC to PDP and then to APDA and to PDP, back and forth, like a skilled pros... and the integrity or truth or care or love wasn't in any of the menus that sanctioned those moves and he's talking about fairness? What exactly are your beliefs TonyeBarcanista? Where exactly do you stand? Now, this is what you call a distraction.

Sapiosexuality:
This dude moved from APC to PDP and then to APDA and to PDP, back and forth, and the worth integrity or truth or care or love wasn't in any of the menus that sanctioned those move and he's talking about fairness? What exactly are your beliefs TonyeBarcanista? Where exactly do you stand? Now, this is what you call a distraction.

From apda he was shouting PDP is dead! Hoping to hop to APC...

angels09:



Ignore this confused fellow. You give him credibility by quoting him.

Bro, you see, young people are reading. People with un-formed minds are reading and they are easily deceived by aesthetics and semantics. They are easily confused by topics like this and our silence is a disservice to the nation and humanity. By replying him we give them something to think about and if they are good enough, they are always innocent, they'd know what to pick.