DISTURBED by the renewed hostilities between suspected Fulani herdsmen and farmers in various communities across the country, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has appealed to both parties to sheath their swords and embrace peace to contribute to the nation’s economic growth.
The agency said the appeal has become necessary as the Federal Government is doing everything possible to resolve the lingering misunderstanding between the warring parties.
In a statement, NOA’s Director-General, Mike Omeri, reacting to what he described as extreme positions being suggested by various socio-cultural groups on the clashes between the herdsmen and farmers, said a Strategic Action Plan Committee (SAPC) set up by the Federal Government will bring lasting solution to the crisis, especially if both parties heed government’s advice.
According to Omeri, the committee has a holistic approach, which includes both short and long term strategies to end the lingering clashes. “With such a committee, it is only complementary that farmers, herdsmen and Nigerians, irrespective of origin or occupation, contribute to this peace production effort,” Omeri stated.
While sympathising with victims, Omeri assured Nigerians that the government is studying the recommendations of the various committees with a view to streamlining them to meet the realities of the time.
According to the statement, “Herdsmen and farmers need each other, and Nigeria needs them both. It is therefore a collective responsibility for all of us to advocate peace amongst the two sets of agriculturalists.”
The NOA boss, who specifically called on community leaders and heads of associations to appeal to farmers and herdsmen to embrace peace, recalled the contributions of farmers and herdsmen to the country’s economic growth, saying “such contribution is needed now, more than ever before, with the dwindling global oil price.
