The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN Gidado Siddiki, has said the fear of Fulani herdsmen and Islamic dominance were responsible for the challenges bedevilling Nigeria.
He made the disclosure in a message to mark Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary on Tuesday.
He also urged the National Orientation Agency, NOA, to engage Nigerians on the need to promote love in Nigeria across all our divides with effective sensitization programs to reduce suspicions over alleged Fulanisation and Islamisation agendas.
Siddiki said: “My organisation, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, remains hopeful that as time progresses, more Nigerians will increasingly understand its role as a trade/cultural union whose primary responsibility is to protect the interests of Fulani herders across Nigeria, while ensuring that such interests do not undermine those of other people or economic units in any part of the country.
“Nigerians should open their hearts to be more tolerant and receptive of the activities of our herders and duly feed us back when conflict brews, so that better understanding and more enduring harmony will be sought. This way, in no distant time, the friction and the suspicion will die a natural death.”
He further urged faith-based organisations, cultural and political groups to work with MACBAN on issues that arouse their suspicion and obtain clarification rather than rush to media houses, spreading confusion and unsubstantiated accusations.
Siddiki appreciated the hospitality people of the southeast have given to the group and extend the olive leave to different ethnic affiliations to coexist in peace. He said sensitisation of leaders and opinion shapers from different ethnic backgrounds is needed to reduce mistrust and foster peace.
“At 59 years, we have come of age. The 59 years might not have proved enough time to offer Nigerians the height of their expectations as people. “It is the ability of both the leadership and the citizens to resolve evolving differences and make progress that determines the legacies they leave for posterity. It is this ability that determines their place in history.”