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KACRAN president says oil boom led Nigeria to neglect agriculture
KACRAN president says oil boom led Nigeria to neglect agriculture
By: Yahaya Wakili
The National President of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), Hon. Khalil Mohammed Bello, has revealed that the oil boom led Nigeria to neglect the agricultural sector, of which livestock is an integral part.
Hon. Khalil Bello started this at the National Conference on the Farmers-Herders Conflict History. Causes and context:How it can be amicably resolved, organized by Lje Nigeria at the Yar Adua Center, Abuja. Which was made available to Newsng in Damaturu.
He said historically, our pastoralist traditions have been rooted in social harmony, and even before the colonial era and up to this day, wherever a Fulani pastoralist moves in search of animal feed and water, first we visit the traditional ruler of that area to seek permission to move on.
Khalil maintained that Fulani people are highly social and intermingle freely with any community, and they are ready to accept any person in the country, regardless of their tribe or religion, and they make a conscious effort to learn the languages of the communities they live with.
“The historical roots of the conflict between the farmers and herders and the challenges we face today are a stark contrast to our past. In the pre-colonial and past colonial eras up to the first republic, pastoralism was at its highest peak, and during this nostalgic period, there were ample grazing areas and water points across the northern region,” Bello said.
Hon. Khalil Bello further said the last administration’s policies, which closed our borders and distributed billions of naira to farmers, led to the blind and furious encroachment on and blockage of almost all cattle routes, and this painful action has endangered the livestock sector and is the primary cause of the current conflict.
“The current conflict, however, is a result of broken and grazed reserves converted to farmland, and herders have been left with no option but to move to states like Benue and Plateau, which cannot contain them, and then to the Southern part of the country, and this movement, where there is no availability of land, forces them to enter and destroy people’s farms, leading to fighting and the loss of lives and properties.
Hon. Bello enumerated solutions based on their research to bringan end to this conflict. Reclaim and revitalize grazing reserves: Northern governors must face reality by reclaiming all reclaimable grazing reserves. Restore blocked cattle routes. Northern governors must reclaim all blocked cattle routes that were blocked for farming expansion and not for development projects.
Others include enforcing accountability and justice; pastoralists must stop destroying people’s farms and must compensate farmers for any accidental destruction. Similarly, farmers must stop encroaching on grazing reserves and blocking cattle routes. To promote dialogue and forgiveness, the cycle of violence must be broken through dialogue with all herders, and the government should also confiscate all guns and weapons from both bandits and vigilantes.
Empower Affected Communities: Paying ransom to those who have lost their loved ones, livestock, and business is crucial to helping them start a new life. The Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support project (L-PRES) and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development should be encouraged and supported by our government to revive the 417 grazing reserves in the country.
KACRAN president says oil boom led Nigeria to neglect agriculture
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
By: Michael Mike
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Monday commissioned newly completed nursing quarters and two mega primary schools in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand access to quality education in the state.
The projects were executed under Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration, which has continued to prioritize infrastructure development in the health and education sectors.
The newly inaugurated nursing quarters, located beside the State Specialist Hospital, consist of eight blocks of six flats each. The housing units are fully furnished and fitted with air-conditioning systems to improve living conditions for medical personnel.
In the education sector, Senator Tinubu also commissioned Aliyakeri and Abbaganaram Mega Primary Schools. Each facility features 48 classrooms designed to accommodate thousands of pupils, alongside ICT centres, modern sports facilities, e-learning platforms, and solar-powered systems to ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the First Lady commended Governor Zulum’s leadership style, describing the projects as people-focused and impactful.
“What we have seen so far in Borno is quite encouraging. You have done very well, and I am truly honoured to be part of this commissioning,” she said.
Governor Zulum’s administration has reportedly completed 104 mega schools across the state, with additional projects ongoing across Borno’s 27 local government areas.
During the event, Senator Tinubu also flagged off a N200 million empowerment programme targeting 2,000 vulnerable women. Each beneficiary is expected to receive N100,000 alongside a sewing machine to support small-scale businesses and improve household income.
The First Lady praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with national efforts to strengthen community-based economic empowerment and food security programmes.
Under the distribution plan, 400 women were selected from Maiduguri metropolis, 200 from Jere Local Government Area, 100 from Biu, while 50 beneficiaries were drawn from each of the remaining 24 local government areas.
In addition, eight outstanding education workers, including teachers, head teachers, principals, TVET coordinators, and ministry staff, were presented with brand-new utility vehicles in recognition of their service.
In a related gesture, Governor Zulum also presented a house to a ministry watchman, Baba Modu Fandi, in appreciation of his dedication, while Senator Tinubu further supported him with an additional ₦2 million financial assistance.
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
By: Zagazola Makama
Two men are receiving treatment at a hospital in Niger State after sustaining serious injuries in a violent altercation reportedly linked to a dispute at an illegal mining site.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in a Fulani settlement near Iwa village in Gurara Local Government Area.
The sources said the matter was reported to the police on April 25 at about 1:30 p.m. after the victims were brought in by the Officer-in-Charge of Iwa Outstation.
According to the sources, the confrontation began on April 24 at about 9:00 a.m. when Jibril Yusuf, 22, allegedly went to the hut of Haruna Tukur, 35, and set him ablaze after a misunderstanding at an illegal mining site.
The sources further stated that Haruna Tukur, in retaliation, attacked Jibril Yusuf with a machete, severing his fingers during the violent exchange.
Both men were rushed to the General Hospital in Gawu Babangida, where they are currently responding to treatment.
Security operatives said investigations have commenced to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while the case remains under active review.
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
By: Zagazola Makama
A heavy windstorm following a downpour has caused partial damage to structures at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp in Paiko, Niger State, leaving two children injured.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred on April 25 at about 8:00 p.m. when strong winds brought down parts of the camp infrastructure during the rainfall.
The sources said police personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene to restore order and provide security, while some corps members were safely evacuated from affected areas.
According to the sources, no loss of life was recorded in the incident.
However, two girls identified as Fati Abdul, 12, and Adewumi Adesola, 11, sustained minor injuries during the incident. They were taken to a medical facility, treated and later discharged.
The sources added that normalcy has since been restored at the camp, while the area remains calm and under observation to ensure continued safety of occupants.
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
Remi Tinubu commissions nursing quarters, two mega schools in Borno
Two Men Sustain Severe Injuries in Mutual Attack Over Mining Site Dispute in Niger State
Windstorm Damages NYSC Camp in Niger, Two Children Injured
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