By Mercy Aikoye
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, recently addressed the pressing issue of farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria. He emphasized that climate change has exacerbated the problem, leading to devastating consequences.
Abbas spoke at a stakeholders’ forum organized by the House Committee on Environment, where a documentary titled “Behind the Valley” was premiered. The documentary highlighted the impact of climate change on farmer-herder conflicts in Benue State.
The Speaker stressed the need for Nigeria to adopt global trends in farming and herding practices. He emphasized that transitioning from outdated methods to modern approaches like ranching is crucial.
Abbas acknowledged the challenges posed by cultural attachment, ignorance, lack of capital, and political will. However, he emphasized that a nationally accepted direction towards international best practices is necessary.
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Honorable Terseer Ugbor, also spoke at the forum. He highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on the Sahel region and the resulting migration of herders into farming communities.
Ugbor called for collaborative efforts to address the challenge, emphasizing the need for collective action to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Other speakers, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Ishaq Salako, echoed the need for urgent action. They emphasized the far-reaching consequences of climate change and the need for sustainable solutions.
The forum underscored the importance of addressing the farmer-herder conflict and climate change through a multi-faceted approach. It highlighted the need for cooperation among stakeholders to find lasting solutions to these pressing issues.
