Niger State is the only State in Nigeria that have a Ministry for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs to address challenges faced by Fulani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Alh stated this. Salihu Mohammed Alfa at His residence in Rugga, Lavun Local Govt Area, Niger State, while receiving representatives from Dikko Fulani Palace from Bida who paid Him a Sallah homage. He said Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is committed to supporting and carrying Fulani along in all State affairs, hence the Ministry’s creation. He further stated that the State Government through the Ministry will carry out a census of Fulani in the State and their animals to allow for proper planning of their affairs and to checkmate the influx of foreign and bad ones among them. Alh. Salihu added that Farmer Governor Bago recently empowered 200 Fulani women with N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) each to start a business.

Further, He also charged Farmers not to Farm on cattle routes to allow Herdsmen easy access to their grazing lands and to prevent a crisis. Therefore, The Permanent Secretary advised Farmers and Herdsmen to always live peacefully with one another and resolve their crisis through traditional institutions close to them.

Earlier on, Dikko Fulani Bida, Alh. Saidu Isah, who spoke through his representative, Alh. Salihu Isah Dikko said they were in Rugga Community to pay Sallah homage to the Permanent Secretary, he said they appreciate His Excellency, Governor Umar Bago for creating a  Ministry Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs to cater to their needs and giving them a sense of belonging in the State. He used the forum to lodge his complaint about the lopsided appointment of S.A.’s given to Zone A, Alh. Isah Dikko said out of  100 slots given to Fulani groups, only 8 slots were given to the Zone, as Zone A,  has the largest population of Fulani in the state, because of peaceful coexistence between Farmers and herdsmen in the Zone. He therefore thanked the Permanent Secretary for his warm reception and support.

Prayers were offered for the Governor, the State, and the Nation at large by Shanba Etsu Yankpa Rugga, Alh. Kudu Mohammed Idris.

Abdulkadir A. Kutigi

Reporter.