First of all,I want everybody to know that Fulani herdsmen are seen in most parts of the North and are sometimes seen across the Niger River down South during extreme dry weather conditions.Hence,the issue of clashes between them and local farmers is not new thing at all (it's inevitable...afterall,the tongue and the teeth in your mouth occasionally clash)! It's just that ransacking villages and killing so many are not as experienced else where as we have in Benue and Plateau states.
In the case of Benue,the issue has been on for a very,very long time,in fact,one can mistake it for a full blown tribal war.This is why one would like to ask as to why it takes such serious dimensions when it comes to the Middle Belt states?
The answer is not far fetched at all!If you are conversant with Middle Belt/North Central political groups on facebook,you would be able to smell the tension right in the air!Members of North Central states of Benue,Plateau (sometimes Kaduna) states are always at logger heads with the Hausa/Fulanis.They are always at each other's throats when it comes to political issues.
The Middle Belt guys consistently accuse the Hausa/Fulani of occupying their lands and refusing to leave.In response,the Fulanis would fight back claiming that they are rightfully residents of the states as well and as a matter of fact,this is Nigeria and they are Nigerians.
Whenever the Middle Belt indigene threatens the forceful evacuation of the Fulanis,they would stand their ground and respond by daring them to do so!This is what I experience first hand in such facebook groups.Initially,I used to wonder why so much hatred brews between them,but,with time,I realized that the Middle Belt guy is still angry with the Hausa/Fulani man for conquering their lands and changing both their POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS landscapes forever!So,whenever an average Middle Belt indigene sees or hear of a Fulani man residing in their indigenous lands,they burn with rage...not to mention hearing him quarrel with a farmer OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS FARM!It's maddening!!!
Before I continue with my post,I'll like to give a quick intro as to the nature of an average Middle Belt man and a Fulani herdsman.
A typical Middle Belt man can be exceptionally stubborn especially when he is on his right,likewise the Fulanis...but the Fulanis,in addition are traditionally war-like in nature.They are always at alert to all forms of threat that come their way.This might be probably due to their Nomadic lifestyle which sees them living in the bush most of the time a midst wild carnivorous animals.This is certainly not the case with the Middle Belt men who live a settled life in his village/town/city.
So,naturally,you'll expect the one with the Nomadic lifestyle to win virtually all the time when men from these different backgrounds clash.Like I said earlier,the Fulanis are known to have had petty clashes from time to time with indigenes of their various host communities but they rarely record as much casualties as they record in the Middle Belt...especially in Benue,Plateau and Kaduna states.
Now,coming back to the incessant clashes between the Herdsmen and the local farmers.It's pertinent to note that the needless clashes and losses of life and properties can be prevented with a simple application of tolerance,understanding and co-operation.
Tolerance
As local farmers and landlords of the Middle Belt,the indigenes have a duty to accept and tolerate peoples of different backgrounds that come or pass through their lands.Failure to do so would paint them bad as intolerant racists and uncivilized people.This is why the traditional rulers and leaders need to wake up to their duties to the people.
For instance,in the report of the recent unfortunate massacre of the Agatus,apart from the call made by the Governor and the visit of the Inspector General,I haven't heard of any report of traditional rulers of both sides coming together to iron issues out.This is so irresponsible of them...I'm sorry!
You might not agree with me,but,the lack of organized meetings between the fighting factions' leaders have contributed immensely to the continuous clashes between them.If the leaders of the Local host communities meet regularly with the Hausa/Fulani regional traditional leaders,they would,by now come up with several MOU's that would be binding on both the hosts and their guests with or without the interference or involvement of the government!
But,this,unfortunately isn't the case all because of the lack of tolerance.Without tolerance,people,even from the same family would find it extremely difficult to live together!The leaders of local hosting communities and those of the Hausa/Fulani communities must find it within themselves to tolerate one another and learn of each others do's and don't's and work according to them.
Undersatnding
With tolerance comes understanding...you must be ready to accept me first,with my faults if you must understand me.
If the Agatus had tolerated the Fulanis and accepted them with their faults,settling matters and getting justice when cheated or hurt won't be difficult!I stand to be corrected,if the ethnic clashes must cease in the North Central,our traditional rulers and leaders have a very important role to play!
THEY MUST GO PAST THE PETTY QUARRELS,MEET WITH THE HAUSA/FULANI COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AGREE ON TERMS OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE THAT SHALL BE WITNESSED BY MEN OF THE LAW.LAWS MUST BE MADE AND PUNISHMENTS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE TO SERVE AS DETERRENT TO POTENTIAL OFFENDERS!!!
Co-operation
To co-operate,even in marriages,require a lot of tolerance,understanding and CO-OPERATION.The Hausa/Fulanis and the local farmers are not meant to be enemies,as a matter of fact,to me,they are more fit to be partners in progress!
I mean,come to think of it,farmers provide us with our basic food needs...they plant food crops like vegetables,fruits among other food crops,rice,beans,maize and wheat.On the other hand,the Fulanis provide us with our meat and milk needs which are superb sources of protein. A balanced diet require products of both sides...so,you see,they are indeed meant to be partners in progress.This is why it's a MUST they learn to live together in peace and harmony and trust me,it won't happen if the traditional rulers continue to be complicit on the matter.If there had been a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between the Agatus and the Fulanis,the Fulanis would have no choice but to help fish out the perpetrators of the massacre and the Agatus,in turn would have co-operated by fishing out those that killed the 10 000 cattle and the messenger of peace as claimed by the Fulanis!!!
So,if you are reading this and are either a Hausa/Fulani or a North Central indigene,the key to our long lasting co-existence (which is a MUST for us) are our traditional leaders! They must meet and work out modalities and come out with MOU's that shall be binding on both parties.
Of course,the state and Federal governments can help by establishing grazing fields for our Hausa/Fulani herdsmen...this would serve as a permanent solution to the problem.This is my take!
Regards,
Long live Naija!
In the case of Benue,the issue has been on for a very,very long time,in fact,one can mistake it for a full blown tribal war.This is why one would like to ask as to why it takes such serious dimensions when it comes to the Middle Belt states?
The answer is not far fetched at all!If you are conversant with Middle Belt/North Central political groups on facebook,you would be able to smell the tension right in the air!Members of North Central states of Benue,Plateau (sometimes Kaduna) states are always at logger heads with the Hausa/Fulanis.They are always at each other's throats when it comes to political issues.
The Middle Belt guys consistently accuse the Hausa/Fulani of occupying their lands and refusing to leave.In response,the Fulanis would fight back claiming that they are rightfully residents of the states as well and as a matter of fact,this is Nigeria and they are Nigerians.
Whenever the Middle Belt indigene threatens the forceful evacuation of the Fulanis,they would stand their ground and respond by daring them to do so!This is what I experience first hand in such facebook groups.Initially,I used to wonder why so much hatred brews between them,but,with time,I realized that the Middle Belt guy is still angry with the Hausa/Fulani man for conquering their lands and changing both their POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS landscapes forever!So,whenever an average Middle Belt indigene sees or hear of a Fulani man residing in their indigenous lands,they burn with rage...not to mention hearing him quarrel with a farmer OVER THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS FARM!It's maddening!!!
Before I continue with my post,I'll like to give a quick intro as to the nature of an average Middle Belt man and a Fulani herdsman.
A typical Middle Belt man can be exceptionally stubborn especially when he is on his right,likewise the Fulanis...but the Fulanis,in addition are traditionally war-like in nature.They are always at alert to all forms of threat that come their way.This might be probably due to their Nomadic lifestyle which sees them living in the bush most of the time a midst wild carnivorous animals.This is certainly not the case with the Middle Belt men who live a settled life in his village/town/city.
So,naturally,you'll expect the one with the Nomadic lifestyle to win virtually all the time when men from these different backgrounds clash.Like I said earlier,the Fulanis are known to have had petty clashes from time to time with indigenes of their various host communities but they rarely record as much casualties as they record in the Middle Belt...especially in Benue,Plateau and Kaduna states.
Now,coming back to the incessant clashes between the Herdsmen and the local farmers.It's pertinent to note that the needless clashes and losses of life and properties can be prevented with a simple application of tolerance,understanding and co-operation.
Tolerance
As local farmers and landlords of the Middle Belt,the indigenes have a duty to accept and tolerate peoples of different backgrounds that come or pass through their lands.Failure to do so would paint them bad as intolerant racists and uncivilized people.This is why the traditional rulers and leaders need to wake up to their duties to the people.
For instance,in the report of the recent unfortunate massacre of the Agatus,apart from the call made by the Governor and the visit of the Inspector General,I haven't heard of any report of traditional rulers of both sides coming together to iron issues out.This is so irresponsible of them...I'm sorry!
You might not agree with me,but,the lack of organized meetings between the fighting factions' leaders have contributed immensely to the continuous clashes between them.If the leaders of the Local host communities meet regularly with the Hausa/Fulani regional traditional leaders,they would,by now come up with several MOU's that would be binding on both the hosts and their guests with or without the interference or involvement of the government!
But,this,unfortunately isn't the case all because of the lack of tolerance.Without tolerance,people,even from the same family would find it extremely difficult to live together!The leaders of local hosting communities and those of the Hausa/Fulani communities must find it within themselves to tolerate one another and learn of each others do's and don't's and work according to them.
Undersatnding
With tolerance comes understanding...you must be ready to accept me first,with my faults if you must understand me.
If the Agatus had tolerated the Fulanis and accepted them with their faults,settling matters and getting justice when cheated or hurt won't be difficult!I stand to be corrected,if the ethnic clashes must cease in the North Central,our traditional rulers and leaders have a very important role to play!
THEY MUST GO PAST THE PETTY QUARRELS,MEET WITH THE HAUSA/FULANI COMMUNITY LEADERS AND AGREE ON TERMS OF PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE THAT SHALL BE WITNESSED BY MEN OF THE LAW.LAWS MUST BE MADE AND PUNISHMENTS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE TO SERVE AS DETERRENT TO POTENTIAL OFFENDERS!!!
Co-operation
To co-operate,even in marriages,require a lot of tolerance,understanding and CO-OPERATION.The Hausa/Fulanis and the local farmers are not meant to be enemies,as a matter of fact,to me,they are more fit to be partners in progress!
I mean,come to think of it,farmers provide us with our basic food needs...they plant food crops like vegetables,fruits among other food crops,rice,beans,maize and wheat.On the other hand,the Fulanis provide us with our meat and milk needs which are superb sources of protein. A balanced diet require products of both sides...so,you see,they are indeed meant to be partners in progress.This is why it's a MUST they learn to live together in peace and harmony and trust me,it won't happen if the traditional rulers continue to be complicit on the matter.If there had been a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) between the Agatus and the Fulanis,the Fulanis would have no choice but to help fish out the perpetrators of the massacre and the Agatus,in turn would have co-operated by fishing out those that killed the 10 000 cattle and the messenger of peace as claimed by the Fulanis!!!
So,if you are reading this and are either a Hausa/Fulani or a North Central indigene,the key to our long lasting co-existence (which is a MUST for us) are our traditional leaders! They must meet and work out modalities and come out with MOU's that shall be binding on both parties.
Of course,the state and Federal governments can help by establishing grazing fields for our Hausa/Fulani herdsmen...this would serve as a permanent solution to the problem.This is my take!
Regards,
Long live Naija!
