Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has inaugurated the first RUGA Settlement for Fulani cattle rearers in the state.
Commissioning the 200 housing unit settlement located at the Dansoshiya village in Kiru Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday, Ganduje called for a review of the West African Protocols that allowed for free movement to stop herdsmen migration to Northern Nigeria.
According to him, there was a need for the Federal Government to use the international blockage created by the Coronavirus pandemic to stop the migration of herdsmen carrying dangerous weapons into Nigeria.
“Such movements of the herdsmen always cause conflicts and destruction of human lives.
“One can clearly see that these migrating herdsmen always move with dangerous weapons and are the ones causing conflicts in most places around the North and the nation at large,” he added.
The governor also extended an invitation to herdsmen from across Nigeria to come to Kano and enjoy the bounties of his government’s new RUGA Settlement.
He noted that the settlement had the entire basic infrastructure, including water, grazing reserves and milk processing factory and markets.
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Ganduje said he was concerned about the long sufferings of herdsmen who, according to him, have suffered enough humiliation in Nigeria by way of loss of lives, stealing and rustling of their cattle among others.
He added that his administration had constructed four million litres of earth dams for the Fulani cattle rearers who would have no cause to move away in search of water.
Ganduje disclosed that his administration had earlier sent about 74 Fulani children to Turkey to study milk processing and other vital things that would help them to settle down at a place.
Ganduje noted that a true Fulani man was not known for violence but because of the alleged humiliation they were usually subjected to, they were being forced to retaliate.
“Today you see a Fulani man doing robbery, kidnapping and other social vices, therefore the need for a RUGA Settlement for him is highly desirable,” the governor stated.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Kano State Secretary of Miyetti Allah, Malam Zubairu Ibrahim, commended the governor for fulfilling his promises on the project assuring that they would ensure proper utilisation of the project
