‘Ruga’: Steeped in history of distrust, Nigeria’s botched solution for deadly conflicts
Hands on the hip, elbows turned outward, a sword pouch dangling – the young Fulani man watches as his cows stray into an already harvested farmland where they graze marginal grasses.
It is, however, a case that shows the ecology-conflict relationship is not simplistically linear, rejecting the Malthusian mono-causal environmentalist explanation.So, crucially, it has other drivers: a history of distrust and poor state capacity which form the socio-political context – apart from the ecological context.
But before the announcement, it had elicited reactions that further exposed the façade that nationhood is in Nigeria. It took the curtain off what appears to be simmering crisis in the high government circle, with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, publiclyThe controversy generated by the Ruga programme exposed a dearth of capacity for policy communication and stakeholders’ engagement management in the context of a turbulent polity.
A contract award letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES suggests implementation had already started by the time Mr Ogbe made his announcement. But there was no prior public consultation, and details of the procurement process are not immediately clear. The economic investment pillar rests on the proposal for the development of clusters of “market-driven ranches in pilot states.”
Like the Ruga, the NLTP also involves land grant from the states willing to participate. Both also include a cluster of settled pastoral families. But unlike Ruga, the NLTP has followed a clear process of stakeholders’ engagement and inputs culminating in a policy document disclosed to the public – and it is clear in terms of social capital, justice and law, conflict resolution and livelihood recovery plan for displaced persons.
Within 30 years, the Hausa kingdoms had fallen to them, marking the genesis of the Sokoto Caliphate and the Fulani Emirates now found in most of the Muslim North; they reached Yorubaland in today’s South-west and contributed principally to the collapse of the Yoruba’s Oyo Empire. For instance, this is the case in Taraba State and Plateau State between the Fulani and such groups as the Mambila and the Berom.
Although Ruga was only planned for states that signed up for it, CAN spokesperson Bayo Oladeji told PREMIUM TIMES that the programme should even be more decentralised such that “it is only for local government areas where it is wanted” even within a state that signed up. But Mr Adesina replied them: “All the states and groups rejecting Ruga, you can’t reject what you have not been offered in the first place. It is only for those that are interested and apply.”According to Mr Adesina, “The critics are talking out of hatred and malice. We should be less suspicious and accommodate each other. If you don’t want Ruga, what do you want? I have asked them. They keep quiet.”For Mr Odumakin, individuals should apply to state governments for ranches.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ruga: Northern governors call for calm - Premium Times NigeriaThe Northern Governors’ Forum has urged all stakeholders, especially in the North, to remain calm and be democratic in expressing their views about the suspended Ruga settlement project by the federal government.
Read more »
Gombe to go ahead with Ruga scheme – Gov Yahaya - Premium Times NigeriaMr Buhari suspended the Ruga settlement programme on Wednesday.
Read more »
Nigerians want Buhari to cancel, not suspend Ruga | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsAlthough President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday doused tension by suspending the plan to settle Fulani herdsmen, Nigerians want more to be done. They want Buhari to cancel Ruga in its entirety.
Read more »
CAN cautions against repackaging Ruga for future implementation | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News'Considering the security situation in the country, any attempt to promote land acquisition policy for the Fulani may escalate further tensions.' Ruga RugaSettlement Fulani Herdsmen Nigeria
Read more »
Bury Ruga settlement - Apostle Suleman reacts as Buhari suspends programme - Daily Post NigeriaApostle Johnson Suleman, Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to bury the idea of th
Read more »