TheCable

The Osun government says all herders in the state are expected to participate in a forthcoming enumeration exercise, which will be followed by the distribution of identity cards.

Mudasiru Toogun, chairman of the state committee on peaceful co-existence between Fulani/Bororo farmers and crop farmers, disclosed this at a meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting held at the state government secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun capital.

In a statement issued after the meeting, he explained that the decision was necessary as part of efforts to update the data of immigrants living in the state.

“The essence of this meeting is to meet our people — the Fulani/Bororo community in order to sensitise them on the need to continue to strengthen the existing bond of unity, peaceful coexistence and togetherness,” Toogun said at a media briefing after the meeting.

“As we all know and as reported in the media, some states in the country are facing serious security threat resulting from Fulani-Bororo and crop farmers’ crisis. As such, we felt it was necessary to convene this meeting to further strengthen the bond that binds us together as brothers and sisters.

“The government has resolved to commence the enumeration and headcount for the immigrants, particularly Fulani-Bororo herders living in the state, as part of efforts to fight against insecurity.

“This initiative would also help to ensure easy planning, since we know their number. It will be easy for government to know the kind of facilities they need in terms of infrastructure. Since we know where they are, it will also be easy for us to relate with them better than before and encourage them on the need to pay their taxes regularly.

“This step will also help us to identify the number of their cattle, since all the information about each and everyone of them will be captured in the database, and if anyone commits any crime, such fellow will be easily tracked and punished.

“With the support of Mr. governor, we shall begin the exercise soon. We have engaged the service of experts to actualise this dream as this will involve the inter-ministerial support of office of the statistician-general, ministry of agriculture and food security, security agencies, among other stakeholders.”

In his remarks, Ibrahim Babatunde, Seriki Fulani in Osun, gave the assurance that his people will cooperate with the government.

He also urged all stakeholders to continue to foster peaceful coexistence in the state.