Metro

Fulanis From 16 Countries Converge On Abuja Over Herdsmen’s Future In Nigeria

Published

2 years ago

Jun 3, 2022.

Sylvester Ugwuanyi

FCT Minister Lauds Choice Of Abuja As Host City For The 'Important Gathering'

FCT Minister Lauds Choice Of Abuja As Host City For The ‘Important Gathering’
Fulanis Summit ‘Meant To Find Lasting Solutions To Issues Of Insecurity Confronting Nigeria’

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Fulanis from 16 West African countries on Thursday converged on Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, to deliberate on “The Future of Fulani Pastoralists in Nigeria”.

Their convergence forms part of the ongoing two-day First Interactive Policy Dialogue and Cultural Festival organised by the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore (MAKH), a Fulani socio-cultural association. The festival, taking place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, had Fulanis from 16 West African countries as delegates.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, in a keynote address, described the maiden interactive Policy dialogue on the Future of Fulani Pastoralists in Nigeria, as a laudable initiative towards enduring peaceful co-existence, security of lives and property as well as unity and development of the country.

He stressed that the interactive dialogue with the theme: ‘The Future of Fulani Pastoralists in Nigeria’ was timely, as it aims at finding lasting solutions to the challenges of herders and pastoralists clashes in some parts of Nigeria and the sub-Saharan region of Africa.

Earlier in an opening remarks at the event, MAKH National President, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, said the gathering “is meant to find lasting solutions to issues of insecurity confronting Nigeria, with a view to having a meeting with Fulani in 16 neighbouring countries, to know whether in the insecurity situation in Nigeria is also affecting them.

“If they aren’t affected, why is that Nigeria is passing through this? We will also go to the Niger Republic. We would also go to the forests to meet and find out what is actually happening.

“There are 16 delegates from 16 neighbouring countries. After this summit, we will come out with a paper on the way forward.”

The FCT Minister, whose remarks delivered by the Mandate Secretary, FCT Agricultural and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, commended the organisers for convening the dialogue, which attracted participants from outside Abuja and beyond Nigeria’s boundaries to be at the event.

“I’m informed that the aim of this interactive dialogue is to design a policy blueprint for the future of the Fulani Pastoralists in Nigeria as well as galvanise ideas and discussions that will be vital for deliberations during the proposed conference on peace and festival of arts and culture scheduled for next year.

“It is quite heartwarming to note that this important meeting has brought together distinguished personalities who will be presenting well thought-out papers, aimed at finding lasting solutions to the challenges of herders and pastoralists clashes in some parts of Nigeria and the sub-Saharan region of Africa.

“It is my sincere wish that this event would pave way for resolutions towards enduring peaceful co-existence, security of lives and property, unity and development of our beloved country, Nigeria.

“Your choice of Abuja as a host city for this important gathering adds credence to our efforts of making Abuja a conference tourism hub in Africa and indeed across the world.

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“I implore you to make good use of the serene, secure and peaceful environment in Abuja to have fruitful deliberations and come out with workable recommendations and resolutions,” read the speech of Bello, the FCT Minister.

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