By: Tunde Bolaji, Minna.
In a bid to promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and Fulani pastoralists, the Niger State Government has inaugurated a 15-member committee to oversee the resettlement of displaced Fulani pastoral communities in the Kaliko Forest Reserve, Wushishi Local Government Area of the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman, who inaugurated the committee, tasked its members with facilitating the resettlement process.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the conference hall of the SSG’s office in Minna.
Addressing members of the committee, Alhaji Usman outlined the key objectives of the assignment, emphasizing the need for a resettlement process that respects and preserves the cultural identity, traditional practices, and livelihood systems of the pastoral communities.
He stated that the committee is mandated to assess the current conditions, needs, and vulnerabilities of the displaced pastoralist communities.
Other responsibilities include the development of a detailed and inclusive resettlement and integration plan tailored specifically to the Kaliko Forest Reserve area, and the submission of periodic updates detailing progress, emerging challenges, and key recommendations to ensure transparency and accountability.
The SSG further directed the committee to commence its activities immediately and complete its assignment within two months.
However, he noted that an extension may be granted based on progress reports and further directives from the State Government.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoral Affairs, Hon. Umar Sanda Rabe, expressed gratitude to the State Government for the trust reposed in the committee.
The Chairman affirmed that the resettlement of the Fulani pastoral communities in Kaliko Forest Reserve represents a critical step toward ensuring peaceful coexistence, promoting pastoral livelihoods, and enhancing social stability in Niger State’s rural areas.
Hon. Rabe assured stakeholders of the committee’s commitment to delivering a fair, sustainable, and culturally sensitive resettlement plan that aligns with the State Government’s broader development agenda.
The committee comprises representatives from relevant government agencies, traditional institutions, and pastoral community leaders to ensure a holistic and participatory approach.
The Niger State Government remains committed to fostering harmony between farming and pastoral communities while advancing sustainable development across the state.