By Roy Biakpara
The RUGA experiment is Nigeria’s attempt at sedentarisation
MIYETTI ALLAH: “This Ruga settlement model is a component part of the livestock development and transformation plan that is being implemented under the Office of the Vice-President. It is a component part of it,”.
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT: I’m Not Supervising Ruga Settlements, Says Osinbajo
BENUE STATE ASSEMBLY: State Assembly is in support of Governor Samuel Ortom and the people of Benue on the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment law and would never support anything to the contrary.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: In the next five years, the establishment of Ruga settlements in the country would stop open grazing by herdsmen and end herdsmen-farmers’ clashes across the country.
OTHER GOVERNORS: all the five South-East state governors, Samuel Ortom (Benue); Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and the Ondo State Government have rejected the Ruga settlements, saying they would not give out their land for herdsmen’s settlements in their states.
All statements above and more are a clear indictment that there is a total disconnect between the leaders, the middle, and those at the lower rungs of society. In the cases where settlement has been successful and peace returned, there has always been dialogue and great understanding between all stakeholders including the international community such as the UN Security Council, who must demonstrate greater resolve to work quickly towards political unity to address tensions and deescalate violence. Success stories on conflict prevention and resolution should be captured and promoted. Repatriation has always been a bonus as peace typically is primary. More determined and bold leadership is required to set aside differences entrenched in political positions and to guide national discourse and decision-making that supports the humanity of others. Leaders should use their positions to deliver better outcomes for people in need and to commit to sustained engagement.
Agropastoralists can be described as settled pastoralists who cultivate sufficient areas to feed their families from THEIR OWN crop production. Agropastoralists hold land rights and use their own or hired labour to cultivate land and grow staples. While livestock is still valued property, agropastoralists’ herds are usually smaller than those found in other pastoral systems, possibly because they no longer rely solely on livestock and depend on a finite grazing area which can be REACHED FROM THEIR VILLAGES WITHIN A DAY, not many miles away as is the case today. Agropastoralists invest more in housing and other local infrastructure and, if their herds become large, they often send them away with more nomadic pastoralists.
The case of the oil wells where the Nigerian water is contaminated with oil and cancer-causing compounds such as benzene. Babies in Nigeria at double the risk of dying before they reach a month old if mothers lived near the scene of an oil spill before conceiving, study shows. There is also the depletion of Fish Population, loss of mangrove forests, etc. to also contend with. All past administration and the present have not truly excelled in perpetuating successful negotiations in resolutions of the conflict in that region.
Robust engagement of people and civil society in political and governance processes is critical to sustained conflict prevention and resolution. Women and women’s groups must be actively involved in decision-making. Young people part of developing and implementing solutions that create stability. Faith-based dialogue supported to promote stability, reconciliation, and social cohesion. Knowledge, technology and influence of business leaders used to promote sustainable solutions to bring stability and dignity to people’s lives.
Source: www.opinionng.com
