Miyetti Allah kicks as Fulani radio attracts more reactions

The move by the Federal Government to establish a radio station to reach Fulani herdsmen has elicited some strong reactions .

The Minister of Education , Adamu Adamu , said on Wednesday that the Federal Government had acquired an Amplitude Modulation broadcast radio licence , frequency 720KHz , for herdsmen as part of efforts to end the perennial farmers -herders clashes.

“ The radio service will serve as a vehicle for social mobilisation and education , in addition to interactive radio instruction methodology that will be adopted to reach the very hard- to – reach segment of our target population , ” he noted .
Reacting to the development of the announcement , the Christian Association of Nigeria faulted the move, while the Jama ’ atu Nasril Islam , on the other hand , described the initiative as a welcome development .

But speaking to one of our correspondents on Friday , the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore , a Fulani socio – cultural association , described the initiative as a “ positive ” step in the right direction .

The Secretary – General of the group , Mr Saleh Alhassan , said information dissemination was crucial if the lingering crisis between farmers and herders was to be resolved .

He said , “ This is a good development that we support , because if we stand any chance of transforming the livestock development sector , we should educate the major players in the sector – the herders .
“ Anybody that is against it ( radio ) is either mischievous or is very ignorant of the purpose.
“ Why must people talk anytime government says it wants to do anything for herders ? In spite of the fact that we provide 90 per cent of the animal protein in this country, aside from milk and other animal products , what have we benefited from the government ?
“ Now that the government wants to pass across constructive information to improve our lives and sensitise our people , having identified that there is a problem in reaching them , should that now be a problem? You can neither reach them via television or newspapers , so what can you do ? There is nothing sinister about it ; it will be controlled by the government . ”

Alhassan said the radio would “ definitely ” help to reduce the clashes , but that to end the clashes , “ we must have effective land resource management in this country ” .

In its reaction , the Igbo socio – cultural organisation , Ohanaeze Ndigbo , described the proposed radio station as a plan to foist Fulani and Islamic agenda on all Nigerians.
In an interview with one of our correspondents on Friday , spokesman for the group , Prince Uche Achi – Okpaga, said , “ You have the Voice of Nigeria ; it transmits in Igbo , Hausa and Yoruba . You have Radio Nigeria ; there are programmes in Hausa , Fulani and many languages. You have other state – owned radio stations that have programmes in different languages. What do they mean by a Fulani radio station ?
“ You have Biafra Radio but you are clipping their wings and looking for them everywhere . You said IPOB wants to overthrow the President with flags but Fulani herdsmen are attacking villages , killing people and nobody is going after them . ”

He added , “ The water that is passing under the bridge depicts clearly that promoting an Islamic agenda is the intention; that is the proper Islamisation that they are saying . ”
Also , the President General , Mdzough U Tiv , a socio – cultural group in Benue State , which comprises of Mdzough U Tiv , Idoma National Forum and OM ’ igede , Chief Edward Ujege, condemned the move .
He alleged that the Federal Government had shown disdain for minority groups in the country.
He said , “ Does Nigeria need any radio station now when all the states own radio stations . If you insist on having a particular programme for a particular group of people , Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria is there .
“ It is criminal for the Federal Government to use public funds anyhow . For us in the minority groups we align with what former President Olusegun Obasanjo said . ”
However , a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army , Brig Gen Idada Ikponmwen , said the proposed radio station was ill – advised and divisive since the government had said the herdsmen terrorising farmers were not Nigerians.
The retired general said , “ The President must be told point – blank that it is a wrong measure to start a radio station for only Fulani . How can that measure be in consonance with promoting a cohesive , united and progressive Nigeria?”

On insecurity in the country, he said there had been a gradual deterioration of security right from the Olusegun Obasanjo government .
He said , “ It ’ s not the making of this government alone, but nobody can deny that the government has failed to make the welfare and security of the people its primary purpose; Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder . ”

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