Modern Cattle Rearing Methods: Association Seeks Government Support

The southeast zonal chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, and leader of the Fulani community in Anambra State, Alhaji Gidado Sidikki, has appealed to the government of Anambra State to assist in training herdsmen on modern cattle rearing method as this will curtail violence and insecurity.

He made the appeal when he appeared before the Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission sitting in Awka, the state capital, on Saturday. He stated that most herders do not understand what cattle ranching entails.

“Most of our boys who are in this business,do not know what cattle ranching is all about,so we need Governor Soludo to help us organise training for them so they can cope with the modern trend.”

He further told the commission that most of his people were murdered, their cattles rustled between July 2019 and August 2022 in their host communities. But he narrated that the state government and the commissioner of police Aderemi Adeoye have restored normalcy in the affected areas.

Alhaji Siddiki also called for the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which his community had with the natives so that absolute peace will reign in both parties.

While responding, the chairman of the commission, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, emphasized that the MoU will be more effective if the state government is fully involved.He noted that the MoU, with the consent of the stakeholders in the various communities and the government, will prevent further crisis between herders and communities in Anambra State.

Testifying on Harira Jubril’s case, Sarkin Chamber and secretary of Amansea cattle market, Usman Harang, testified that Anambra State government commiserated with the community and financially assisted them in the burial of Harira and her four children.

Meanwhile, Professor Chidi Odinkalu,the chairman of the commission, greatly commended Usman Harang for the bravery and courage he exhibited during the Harira Jubril’s murder. He totally condemned the act and said that “no society should normalise killing, we sue for peace, Harang, you exhibited an unusual leadership trait in Nigeria.”

During his session with the commission,Chief Alfred Chukwu Okafor, the President General (PG) of Omasi, the oil producing town in Ayamelum Local Government Area, told the commission that the boundary dispute between Anambra and Enugu States which has lingered for years, has led to loss of lives and property. He called on the national boundary commission and states government and the Professor Odinkalu led commission, to help find a lasting solution to the crisis.

Okafor also urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to fix the five kilometre road linking Omasi farmers to their farms and save them from accessing their farms through Enugu State.

The Anambra Truth Justice and Peace Commission also had sessions with Isuaniocha Community(Awka north Local Government Area), Igwe Nkpologwu(Aguata Local Government Area), Igwe and PG Awkuzu(Oyi Local Government Area).

The Professor Chidi Odinkalu led commission will hold sessions with the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army, and the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday.

Shakirat Sadiq