The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Walid Jibrin, has urged Nigerians to embrace the establishment of the Rural Grazing Areas programme of the Federal Government.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Jibrin told newsmen at his country home on Tuesday in Nasarawa State that the proposed settlement policy for herdsmen would promote peace and security in the country.
He also explained that the programme would boost food security and improve on the health and standard of living of rural communities.
Jibrin, who is also the Sarkin (leader) Fulani in Nasarawa State, commended President Muhammadu Buhari and his team for introducing the Ruga programme.
He said, “I am not in the All Progressives Congress; I am a PDP chieftain. But when we talk of development and security, we should leave anything about politics, religion and ethnicity.
“Whoever is ruling in Nigeria, if he brings any programme that will end insecurity, killings and will take care of the welfare of the people, I will support such a government. My politics is not do-or-die and I play politics without bitterness.
“That is why I and we (Fulani people) commend the Federal Government for introducing the Ruga project in the country.
“I and my ethnic group (Fulani) had embraced the programme. Ruga project includes provision of hospitals, schools, water supply and electricity, among other facilities, which will have direct bearing on the lives of herders.
“Apart from that, it will also tackle the incessant farmers/herdsmen’ conflicts as well as boost food security in the country.”
Jibrin also called on the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups to embrace the programme in the interest of national development.
He added, “About 12 states including Nasarawa state in the North have already embraced it and have already started the project.
“So, I am calling on the southerners, the Igbo, the Yoruba, among others, to embrace it, even though the project is not compulsory.
“The project will keep the herdsmen one, safe and will improve on their welfare as some states in the South-East have already promised to donate land for the project.”
He therefore called on all herdsmen and other Nigerians to shun armed robbery, kidnapping and other negative tendencies in the interest of peace and development.
The PDP BoT chairman also urged Nigerians to live peacefully irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliations for development to reign.
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Suleiman ibrahim
August 14, 2019 at 6:05 pm
Good news, lets live politicesing things when we are looking for peace and development of our dear country Nigeria,lets our leaders unit and do the needful,