Kwara Govt Seeks Partnership With Fulani Leaders To Tackle Insecurity
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called on the Fulani communities in the state to work with the government and other stakeholders for the purpose of peace and security.
Gov AbdulRahman made the call yesterday in a meeting with Fulani Community and Stateholders at the State Government House.
AbdulRahman assured the Fulanis of government’s protection and patronage in area of infrastructure projects and social security programmes.
Gov AbdulRazaq AbduRahman explained that the meeting was to establish a consensus to manage herders-farmers’ relationship amid ultimatums on cattle grazing in some southern states and mass movement of herders to the north, especially Kwara.
He said; “The meeting is for security and peaceful coexistence especially in the light of what is happening around us. So there was the need to also engage the Fulani in Kwara on how to manage such movement.
“There is a security implication from such, and what the government is doing, including the National Livestock Transformation Programme and the special agriculture processing zone, is basically to engage the Fulani community for better understanding on programmes like nomadic education, healthcare delivery, water projects and empowerment that are lined up for them.”
He further stated that the second phase of the National Livestock Transformation Programme will soon take off, with Kwara being a part of the beneficiary states.
“So far, the first phase (the National Livestock Transformation Programme) has taken off and was done last in Nasarawa state. We are still waiting for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to let us know when the second phase will commence. Kwara is expected to do the second phase of the project. We have done the enumeration to be part of the project.
” The last engagement the state government had with Oyo on security has been yielding positive results, hoping to do same with other boundary states like Ekiti state.”
On his part, the Chairman Kwara State House of Assembly Committee on Services, Hon Saidu Baba Ahmed lauded the town hall meeting, saying that it gave everyone a sense of belonging.
Commenting, the Kwara State Commissioner for Police, Emierubu Assayomo said the essence of the gathering was to seek the cooperation of the Fulani community as the government and security agencies intensify efforts to beef up safety.
“We are here to talk about how to continue to live in peace. We have a duty to protect lives and properties,” he said, commending the Governor for the meeting and his support for the security agencies.
“Those of you in the capital city must have been seeing the policemen patrolling in the night. If they stop you, I want you to please stop. If they search your vehicle and there is nothing incriminating they will allow you to go. If you suspect anyone in your area, kindly report it to the police. We need your support.”
However, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Herdsmen Alhaja Aishat Yusuf, said the Hausa/Fulani community are solidly behind the present administration because of the priority attention it accords them. .
Hajia Yusuf said her people enjoyed a sense of belonging under AbdulRazaq-Led government more than ever before.
President, Fulani Elites, Kwara state chapter, Alhaji Ahmed Magaji, said it was unfortunate that nomadic identity is being painted badly and lamented their age-long suffering from discrimination and poor access to quality education.
He urged AbdulRazaq to engage more Fulani elites in his government, saying they have a lot to offer with their western education and exposure.
The meeting was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Retired Brigadier General Saliu Tunde Bello, Fulani leaders and representatives from across the 16 local government areas of the state.