NKRUMAH BANKONG-OBI/Lafia
The leader of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Benue and Nasarawa states has implored the group’s members in the two states to resolve all disputes between them and the farmers immediately. This, he said, is to support President Bola Tinubu’s initiatives to end farmer-herder crises in the country. The leaders made the call at a forum in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Thursday.
The National Chairman of MACBAN, Baba Othman, praised President Bola Tinubu for letting his compassion shine through by visiting the victims of the attacks in Yelwata, Benue State, earlier this month. “Mr. President’s presence among the victims of these unfortunate crises has rekindled hope. It has reminded us that this nation belongs to all of us farmers, herders, settlers, indigenes, and all ethnic and religious groups, and that none of us should be left behind in the pursuit of peace and prosperity.”
He therefore called on every member of his association to seek peace at all times. I urge our members in both Benue and Nasarawa states, and the whole country, to actively engage in peacebuilding initiatives,” he said
Ngelzarma decried what he called the toll of the unfortunate loss of lives and livelihoods as a result of the endless squabbles between the farming communities and cattle grazers in some parts of Benue and Nasarawa states. He said this conflict is pathetic and disturbing for both sides and Nigerians in general. He noted that his association understands the importance of peace, and that is why he is calling on members of MACBAN in the two states to pursue peace at all costs. This, he said, falls into the already established efforts of the various levels of government to resolve the conflict and ease the tension in both states.
Ngelzarma pointed out that “Violence is not a solution. Retaliation is not justice. We must now embrace dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding of our pastoral way of life, and can only continue to thrive if we live in peace with our neighbors,” noting that all hands must be on deck to end the bloodshed. He particularly called on the traditional rulers to take ownership of finding solutions to the challenges posed by these protracted crises. “I call on traditional rulers who are the custodians of our values and cultures to rise and play a more assertive role in facilitating dialogue and reconciliation.” These leaders, he advised, should “serve as bridges between communities and as beacons of wisdom and unity.”
The MACBAN leader called for inclusivity in the management of the society. He made a case for the involvement of youths as peace ambassadors. This, he said, would take them away from the unfortunate instances where they serve “as pawns in the cycles of violence.” Failure to do this, he said, the youths will be left as sources of chaos, but if adhered to, they could become instruments of peace and “our greatest assets.” He tasked farmers to also commit to peace because of the complementary nature of farming and grazing in the long stretch of the agricultural value chain. “We need you, just as you need us,” he said of farmers, adding that “Agriculture and livestock are two sides of the same coin. One cannot thrive without the other. Let us talk, let us forgive, let us plan together,” he charged them.
The meeting drew together representatives of the Police, Department of State Services, as well as heads of MACBAN in various local government areas and communities in Nasarawa and Benue states.