A Lot Of The Fulanis In Our Forests Are Not Nigerians, Some Are From Mali, Cameroun, Etc-Bitrus Pogu

President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of a new Ministry of Livestock Development has continued to generate debate among Nigerians from various ethnic and socio-cultural backgrounds.

It should be recalled that a few days ago, the President had approved the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development. The federal government said that the new ministry will address the recurring farmers-herders clashes that have resulted in loss of lives and affected food security.

However, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) president, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, has expressed reservations about the ministry, stressing the need for a regulatory agency with a ranching policy.

According to the report by The Sun Newspaper on Saturday, he argued that the current form of animal husbandry, practised by the Fulani ethnic group, has led to conflicts and advocated for community-based ranching.

Pogu also raised concerns about non-Nigerian Fulani herdsmen from neighbouring countries, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, who have entered the country through the protocol on free movement, signed during Gen. Abdulsallami Abubakar’s regime.

He warned that the proposed ministry must address these issues to ensure peaceful coexistence and food security.

He said, “We are also going to make our own input when the ranching or implementation starts. We believe it should be community based, because a lot of the Fulani in our forests are not Nigerians, some of them are from Mali, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, etc.”

The new ministry had sparked diverse reactions among members of the public. While some people commended the President for the creation of the ministry, others said that it was a move to favour a particular ethnic group……See_More