The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders
Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has said the fear of Fulani herdsmen and
Islamic dominance were responsible for the challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
MACBAN said the unease has
provoked rumours of Islamisation and Fulanisation agendas in Nigeria.
Chairman of the group, Gidado
Siddiki, made the disclosure in a message to mark Nigeria’s 59th independence
anniversary, Tuesday.
Siddiki also urged the National
Orientation Agency, NOA, to boost its sensitisation of Nigerians on the need to
love and reduce suspicions over alleged Fulanisation and Islamisation agendas.
He 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 liaise freely 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 called on
persons of different ethnic affiliations to embrace dialogue and brotherhood.
He further advocated increased sensitisation of leaders and opinion shapers from
different ethnic backgrounds to reduce mistrust and foster peace.
“At 59 years, Nigeria can be said
to have come of age. However, 59 years might not have proved enough time to
offer Nigerians the height of their expectations as people. But the country has
made progress even in her few stumbles in the course of growth.
“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.”
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