Governors of the 19 northern states, have adopted the federal government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) to address the lingering herders/farmers’ clashes in the region.
The state chief executives, who held an emergency meeting under the umbrella of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) in Kaduna, yesterday, said that when implemented, the NLTP would ensure the resettling of the dislocated populations in the key conflict zones to enable them play major roles in the agricultural modernisation scheme.
In a communiqué they read after the meeting, the chairman of NSGF and governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong, said that the plan would also provide a mechanism for peaceful dialogue.
Lalong said that the forum also resolved to continue to adopt sustainable and holistic approaches towards tackling the security challenges in the region, adding that it was part of the forum’s unwavering determination to rescue the North and reposition it to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people, especially in the areas of security, economic, and social development.
The communique reads: “The Northern States Governors’ Forum convened an emergency meeting to discuss some issues of common interest particularly the development of the agricultural sector being the economic livewire of the region.
“The current challenges of insecurity which seem to be persisting despite concerted efforts by all ties of government were also deliberated based on insightful analyses and the best possible ways to address the menace which is currently bedeviling the region. Consequently, the forum resolved to continue to adopt a sustainable and holistic approach towards tackling this challenge in the region; it is the forum’s unwavering determination to rescue the region and reposition it to meet the yearnings and aspirations of our people, especially in the areas of security, economic, and social development.
“On agriculture, the forum was well informed about the National Livestock Transformation Plan and its disparities with the Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) plan.
“It is expected that the plan would ensure the resettling and addressing the dislocated populations in the key conflict zones to enable them become part of the agricultural modernisation process.
“In the same vein, it would provide a mechanism for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in the affected communities towards a harmonious mutually beneficial future.
“The forum, therefore, adopted the National Livestock Transformation Plan which lays out clear path for modernising pastoral activities. It further encouraged other states not included as pilot states to endevour to join the plan/programme.
“The forum received brief on the Almajiri phenomenon in Northern Nigeria which is not only endemic but pandemic. It noted the challenges of the system despite its conception on high religious and moral importance.
“Currently, many children are increasingly exposed to vulnerability and resultant exploitation, thereby making them susceptible to criminal activities. The forum after in-depth discussions, resolved to collaborate further with experts in this field with a view to finding implementable recommendations to solve the Almajiri phenomenon and take children out of the streets.
“Finally, the chairman reiterated his determination to provide good leadership to the forum and to move it to greater heights,” the communique stated.