Group Commends President Muhammadu Buhari For Revamping Agriculture

*Tasks Him To tackle Herdsmen, Farmers Crisis

By WILLIAM ANAEBONAM, Lagos

The Movement for Nigerian Greatness (MNG), has applauded  President
Muhammadu Buhari  for managing and improving the agricultural sector
of the economy.

The noted that the ban on importation of rice and other related produces has steadily reduced Nigeria’s dependence on foreign commodities thereby stimulating local farming and production of rice.

MNG, in a statement signed by Mr. Oniobo Ofegor Collins, the national President and Mr. Okonkwo Chris, the national Secretary respectively, after its National Executive Council meeting, the present strategy for local patronage and increased agricultural capacity backed by good policies have gone a long way in saving the nation from food crisis.

According to the group; “In the area of Power, the President should also be given kudos. The Power situation across the Country is gradually witnessing positive improvement. In the same vein, this
administration has actually mitigated the killings, bombings and other evil acts perpetuated by the insurgents in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly Yobe, Bornu and Adamawa states.”

MNG noted that notwithstanding the above mentioned successes recorded by President Buhari’s administration, there are areas which, to their comprehension, are of national importance as they constitute factors that either lead to national cohesion and integration or disunity and disintegration.

“They include but not limited to killings of unarmed innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the Country, especially in the middle-belt region, having Benue and Taraba as worst hit states. As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, precise measures ought to have be taken, with a view to stopping the incessant and
unwarranted killings by this unscrupulous group.”

However, the body observed that no concrete action has been taken so far on this issue, even the deployment of military troops to the worst hit states seem not to yield any reasonable results. Rather, the
military is being tagged as aiding the herdsmen in such dastardly acts.

Further, the group said; “Before now, we see it as a tussle for land on which cattles graze and farmers plant. But the killings of two Christian clerics and other worshippers in a Catholic Church in Benue state has kept us pondering over the reasons behind such attack, especially when the Church is not a piece of farmland.”

Another area that needs serious and urgent attention, according to MNG is on infrastructure, maintaining that Mr. President, since he assumed office, no concrete infrastructural project has taken place, particularly in the Southern part of the Country, leaving the Southerners with the mindset of your administration being one-sided.

“Not far from the above is the issue of Federal appointments and recruitment into institutions of government. The last recruitment exercise into the State Security Service (SSS) unaguably favoured the
North more than the South. This is blatant disregard for the principles of Federal Character by the institution under discuss.

“Even the appointment of officers into the security apparatuses of the Country are obviously one-sided. Mr President, this is not actually healthy for national cohesion and growth”, the group noted.

Of more importance, according to the MNG is the issue of religious education, quoting the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, “Nigerians have the right to freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, etc. Be it Islamic education or Christian education, our view is that, neither should be made mandatory in any of our education institutions and at no level of infantile growth. The essence of the preceding sentence would be a peaceful State where everyone will be free to exercise his/her freedom to associate and to choose.”

The Movement for Nigerian Greatness (MNG) believes that there is still time, though limited, for the Federal Government to address the issues raised herein. The federal government must match it’s words with actions against the killer herdsmen.

The President swore to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians during oath-taking therefore, should do the needful. The federal government should declare the
killer herdsmen terrorists just the same way it declared the IPOB a terrorist group.

“Once this is done, Nigerians will begin to sense the impartiality in handling of separatist groups or sects irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation. The one billion naira budget for Islamic education should cut across board. Both religions in the country are entitled to such budgets. Federal appointments and
recruitment must be in line with the principles of Federal Character, especially in the security institutions. Furthermore, your Excellency, religious education should be a thing of choice and not on compulsion.”