The former FCT chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Dodo Oroji has criticized the move by some lawmakers to deny Fulani their fundamental rights as citizens while other Nigerians enjoy such rights.
The former Chairman was reacting to a recent move by a senator representing Benue North, senator Zam Titus who brought forward a bill for an act to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission for the regulation, management, prevention, and control of ranches throughout the country.
Alhaji Muhammadu Dodo Oroji appealed to the constituted authorities for the sake of peaceful coexistence in the country to find a suitable solution to this issue.
He argued that the Nigerian law has given every citizen the right to live, go to any part of the country and do his businesses such as selling medicines, tyers, spare parts, building material among others, but supporting such movement is a clear indication of creating another unnecessary tension in the country.
The former chairman also appealed particularly to the National Assembly whose main function is to make meaningful laws for sustainable peace and development in Nigeria to look into the bill seriously.
Dodo Oroji further said provided other tribes are living peacefully in other part of the country, it will be unjust to say certain tribes who are certified Nigerians, born and brought up in a particular environment to create a law that will make them second class citizens in their own place of birth.
He however argued that if we may recall the sponsor of the bill said the bill proposes ranching as the only viable alternative for cattle breeding in Nigeria, and advocated for the urgent need to transit from traditional livestock keeping method to the modern methods which are safer and healthier, without asking the Government to make adequate provision for assisting Fulani pastoralists.
Also the bill proposes that ranches be established in the pastoralist’s state of origin without forcing it upon other states or communities that do not have pastoralists as citizens.
Alhaji Dodo Oroji further pointed that in the bill there is no consideration for a Fulani with five thousand cattles or above, what kind of land is he required to be given and what arrangement the bill makes to assist the Herders just like farmers.
He also argued that Fulani deserve to be given palliatives or assistance, saying Fulani are number one citizen who contributes heavily on the economic survival of this country going by their contributions in the provision of meat, milk, cheese, animal skins, manure to mention but few.
Alhaji Dodo Oroji finally appealed to the lawmakers to rethink and do what is good for the country bearing in mind the current situation not to compound the problems.
Bashir Mayere
