By Gbenga Akingbule
Nigeria is set to find a lasting solution to the perennial conflicts between farmers/herders and ensure food security with the recent commissioning of a modern ranch in Borno State, a collaborative effort between the state and federal government.
Gatekeepers News reports that although Borno State has fewer records of farmer/herder clashes compared to some states in the North Central and North West, the new livestock settlement and its accompanying value chain are restoring hope for residents displaced by the 15-year-long Boko Haram insurgency.
Last weekend, beneficiaries converged at the new Ngarannam Livestock Improvement Ranch Settlement also known as the RUGA settlement – the first of its kind in Nigeria located in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. Majority of the beneficiaries had endured harrowing encounters with the notorious Boko Haram terrorist group, which had displaced them from their communities for over a decade.
Their stories are a clear reminder of the dark days when the insurgents held many communities hosted, killing and kidnapping innocent citizens, including the abduction of over 200 school girls in Chibok 165 kilometres away from Ngarannam RUGA settlement where a positive chapter is being opened for displaced persons.
60-year-old Jidda Kyari escaped at midnight when the Boko Haram terrorist group invaded his village- Mushikum, kidnapping 3 male children and a large number of his livestock including over 200 cattle.
Kyari, a local livestock baron wasn’t fazed about losing his lifetime achievements – his livestock, but was deeply concerned about the safety of his three children, Azirak, Alawan and Kyari.
“I fear the Boko Haram Terrorists would kill my children,” Kyari whose children later escaped from captivity said while seated alongside other beneficiaries waiting to get keys to their new homes and other humanitarian aids to kick start a new life after their sojourn at Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camps for over a decade.
Danah Yunus another 60-year-old beneficiary narrated how the insurgents shot dead her husband right in her presence a decade ago, she made her way through the bushes for about 40 kilometres before arriving at an IDP camp in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital.
“My world was shattered when the Boko Haram Terrorists shot dead my husband but with this support from the state and federal government, I’m bouncing back to happiness,” Yunus who hails from Marhumma village said.
Both Kyari and Yunus are among the 462 households benefiting from the collaborative effort between the Borno State Government, which contributed over 60%, and the Federal Government towards the establishment of the RUGA settlement.
Also, work on two additional RUGA settlements in two other Senatorial Districts in the state is nearing completion, with progress currently at 90%. Strategically located, each of the three Senatorial Districts will have one RUGA settlement.
Top government officials, including Governor Babagana Zulum, Minister of Livestock Development Hon. Idi Mukhtar, and Representative of the Minister of Agriculture, endured a rough journey on flood-damaged roads to reach the Ngarannam Livestock Ranching Centre.
This centre, located about 40 kilometres from Maiduguri, was the venue for a live transforming event. The event was also attended by Prof Attahiru Jega, Co-Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reform Committee.
In his welcome address, the state Deputy Governor, who doubles as the Commissioner of Livestock and Fisheries Development, Hon. Umar Kadafur said the state government was deliberate in its quest to find an enduring solution to farmers/herders clashes, food insecurity and the need to empower displaced people who have returned to their communities.
The Deputy Governor said ” These centres symbolize our commitment to sustainable development, peaceful coexistence, and economic empowerment for our people.
“The remaining two RUGA centres will be commissioned in due course as works have reached over 90 percent completion.
In recent years, we have faced several challenges in Borno State, including conflicts that have disrupted farming and herding practices, impacting our communities’ welfare and economic stability.
” Today, however, we are taking a concrete step towards overcoming these challenges and building a more secure and prosperous future for our state, hence our able and dynamic Leader Mr Governor Prof. Baba Gana Umara Zulum decided to collaborate with the Federal Government and provided well over 60 percent of the cost of the construction of these ranching centres, known as RUGA Centres,” Kadafur said.
Governor Babagana Zulum while calling on multinational commercial livestock investors to rush down to invest in the RUGA Settlement, revealed at the occasion that the settlement is a ” 4-square km project built for 461 nomadic families from eighteen communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
He added “In addition to a house, each of the 461 families received pairs of bulls and heifers, goats, and a humanitarian relief package consisting of essential food and non-food items. We’re also handing over N50,000 to each of the heads of the 461 households, while housewives will receive N20,000 with wrappers as well.
“The project has facilities that include a housing estate with road networks, schools, health clinics, veterinary services, and state-of-the-art dairy and beef upgrading centres.”
“Other facilities are pasture development centres, milk collection centres, earth dams to secure water supply, markets to foster local trade, and security outposts to ensure a safe and secure environment for all” Prof Zulum said.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Hon Idi Mukhtar commended Governor Zulum for the bold initiative at empowering the people of Borno State.
Mukthar said,” I wholeheartedly congratulate and commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, on this laudable project which will immensely benefit the good people of Borno State and Nigeria in general, with attendant implications for addressing the food security challenges in our nation.”
Prof Attahiru Jega also showered ecomium Ion Governor Zulum saying “I must say that I witnessed something I had never seen in our country today. We have seen today the vision of a leader, the passion and commitment to what clearly will help drive economic growth, uplift the lives and livelihood of people and provide employment to our citizens.”
“It is highly commendable and encouraging that Borno State has shown leadership and commitment to livestock development based on what we have seen at today’s event,” Prof Jega said.
As Kyari, Danah, and other beneficiaries slowly put their unpleasant past behind them, they’re now united in gratitude to Governor Zulum and the Federal Government for the life-changing intervention.
“It’s a dream come true to see this development unfold during my lifetime. To me, the Ngarannam Livestock Improvement Ranch Settlement is my new heaven on earth,” Kyari said.
