The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has alleged that the Fulanis are marginalized in the scheme of things in the country, saying that they have been called all sorts of bad names with virtually every criminal activity attributed to them.
The State Chairman, MACBAN, Sadiq Ibrahim, who was speaking at the Bauchi South zonal meeting of the association held at the weekend in Bauchi, alleged that governments at all levels find it difficult to avail Fulanis of social amenities such as water for both human and animal consumption, roads, grazing lands and cattle routes, among others.
“We are calling on the Fulanis to forge a united front with a view to fighting for their rights and privileges as they have been relegated to the background. They have been pushed to the wall to stand upright and fight for social amenities government provides to others”.
“Fulanis are the most peaceful and easy-going tribe in the country but sadly, they have been deprived of social amenities as well as government’s economic welfare packages such as farming and industrial loan provision, among others. There is the need for unity of purpose among the Fulanis as it relates peaceful existence, curbing criminal and criminality in the society, as well as embracing government’s policies and programmes,” he said.
The Chairman lamented on the non-capturing of Fulani needs in government’s budgetary provision or its developmental programmes with a view to carrying them along.
Ibrahim explained that the aim of the zonal meeting of the association which held at the North and Central zones of the state, are geared towards addressing the challenges of cattle rustling and other banditry rearing their ugly heads in the state, adding that a meeting would soon be held to address such issues beforehand.
Also speaking at the occasion, the state commissioner for youth and sports, Alhaji Adamu Manu Soro said that although the State Executive Council has already approved the 2021 budget estimates, the association should make its demands for possible fusion into the budget.
Soro, who is the chief of the Fulani community under tutelage of Madakin Bauchi, called on Fulanis and farmers to live in peace, saying they should be united for the progress of the nation.
Also in his address, the Special Adviser to Bauchi state governor on Political Affairs and a one-time Speaker of the State Assembly, Bappah Haruna Disina, recalled that Fulanis have been in Nigeria for the past 400 years, pointing out that there is no justification why they should be treated as outsiders.
He attributed the indifference meted to the Fulanis to their illiteracy and the unending fractionalization among them.