Lux Terra Leadership Foundation Holds Dialogue Session in Makurdi
ERDOO DUE
The Lux Terra Leadership Foundation in collaboration with Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development 29th April,2021 held a dialogue session on National Unity Security and Development in Makurdi. The session which took place at Chateau d’ Victoria Hotel Conference Hall endured a good turn up with attendance of top state personalities including Terver Akase-Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor Samuel Ortom, CP Iorbee Ihagh (Rtrd)- President General Mdzough u Tiv Worldwide, Ibrahim Galma-Secretary Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) Benue state chapter, Dr. Maryam Yakubu- President Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Benue State chapter, James Ornguga- Publicity Secretary All Progressive Congress(APC) Benue State, Timothy Hembaor-President General Tiv Youths Organisation Worldwide, Rev. Peter Ichull-Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters, Oscar Aorabee-Chairman Ayatutu Lawyers Forum, Sam Ogabidu, Elder Nath Apir ,Ejembi Ogwuche, Judith Hiirnyam, Amile Christian – Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Catholic Diocese of Makurdi as well as members of the state.
In his opening remark, Mike Utsaha Esq on behalf of the Executive Director, Lux Terra Leadership Foundation Rev. Fr. George Omaku Ehusani, said the dialogue is ongoing in 5 other states within the country. This became necessary as a result of the incessant killings and security threat rampaging the country. He enjoined all present to air out their views with the hope of proffering a solution for the contending insecurity situation in the country.
Terver Akase, in a good will message appreciated God and the organizers of the dialogue session for such a striking decision at the right time. He said, “Nigeria is on fire, there is war without a war front due to the fact that, the national security of the country is threatened. We are all sitting on gun powder, the future of our children is at risk. This is more worrisome to Benue because it is at the center of insecurity so, politics, religion and ethnicity must be put aside to foster a solution for the state and ensure total security.”
For CP Iorbee Ihagh (Rtd), “Security is synonymous to lawfulness and insecurity is also synonymous to lawlessness among the citizens of a nation. A nation adjudged to be lawless is bound to have security challenges, disunity, violence and lack of development which is now the case of this nation. The Nigerian society today is characterized by criminality, violence, disunity, acrimony among others, there is lack of peace and insecurity which has degenerated into banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram insurgency, cultism, oil bunkering among others resulting from social deprivation and religious bigotry. Benue State popularly known as Food Basket of the nation which has the capacity to feed Nigeria and even Africa has been confronted with total hunger, today more than 50% of the Benue Farmers are rendered homeless and reduced to refugees in their ancestral homes.”
Ibrahim Galma on his part acknowledged the peaceful nature of Nigeria 15 years ago which has become a tale of old. He said, “Herders are known to move from one place to another so, most often considered to cause inconvenience to the host communities. In Benue State, there has been an anti-open grazing law which is adopted but a lot of issues are underlying. The Federal Government, officers of the law and state governments are all doing their best. The loosed democracy of Libya has warranted the influx of arms into the country putting the nation under chaos. MACBAN on its part is not resting, most especially around the issue of Nassarawa and Benue but I must state here that, there was no proper caution from the Fulani leaders on their people resulting in criminality. The case of Benue is very peculiar but I will suggest here that; the pilot ranch which was to be set up as a sample for herders within the state be done. There should also be synergy between Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, and Taraba to tackle the menace because the state boarders serve as reservoir for these criminals. We the Fulani are not exempted as victims of the situation because this is no longer farmer/Herder Crisis but criminality due to abject poverty. Dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders remain the solution. I would plead that a survival mechanism be adopted for the Fulani man because we survive on Livestock farming.
To deepened discussion on what is the extent to which ethnic relations in Nigeria has contributed to security in the country? Timothy Hembaor said, “421 indigenous ethnic youth leaders exist in the country with the aim of combating insecurity and unemployment. However, claims of Nigeria being owned by a particular tribe as affirmed by MACBAN to belong to the Fulani has thrown the nation off balance. On my part as the Tiv Youth President, I have issued out seven letters to the presidency on the consequences of insecurity. However, this is laid under the carpets. I would suggest religion returns to a default, so peace is upheld.”
Maryam Yakubu said,” I am so disappointed with the situation of things, my heart goes out most especially to Benue State with the latest killings at Abagena. Killing a soul means destroying a nation and vice versa. God has commanded we love one another so why are we killing? If religion and ethnicity are used to set us apart then, it should also be used to unite us. Together, this can be achieved by incorporating morals in children and adopting dialogue.”
On his part Amile Christian said, “understanding the trend of crime is difficult. False narratives have heightened the situation of insecurity resulting in violent extremities by youths. Livelihoods are suffering and unsafe even in the IDP Camps. The church fosters peace and so preaches this at every given opportunity.”
A second panel made up of Rev. Peter Ichull, Sam Ogabidu, Ejembi Ogwuche and Nathaniel Nongo had a wonderful deliberation on ‘Security, the Economy, Power and the National Question’ Rev. Peter Ichull said “loyalty is what is generally rendered to leaders including trust, so where there is segregation there is a problem. The use of weapons is not always necessary. If you as a leader fails to stamp a power of authority, then there is a problem. Nigeria should adopt conventional ways of harnessing insecurity rather than weapons. There should be enforcement for the rule of law, sharing of state allocations should also be done without bias.”
Sam Ogabidu said, “change in service chiefs have not improved the situation rather it has worsened the case due to tribalism. In the past, the situation was different and until we go back to default the situation will not change.”
Ejembi Ogwuche said “In my opinion, no officer on duty should be attacked no matter the offence. However, the military should always try to educate and caution their staff on behavior and moderation of conflict pressure rather than afflict injuries on victims.”
Mrs Judith Hirnyam, retired Permanent Secretary with the Benue State Government said “sincerity of purpose is one thing that needs to be addressed if we advocate for peace and security as a nation, be it at the family, church, community, state or federal levels of leadership. I would also encourage sensitization at grassroots most especially for women and children at all times and not just during campaigns.”
Polycarp Aande on his part expressed dissatisfaction with the level of attendance of government to dialogue sessions for peace. He said, I would appeal the government make out more time to attend peace dialogue sessions because they are the decision makers as well as security agents. There are a lot causing insecurity outside herders such as unemployment, cultism, robbery, communal crises. These should also be looked into. There is poor market for entrepreneurs amid huge taxation while other graduates lack financing to start up all these are responsible for insecurity so it will be wise the government look into these things so as to uphold peace.”
Richard Asema said, “poor leadership has been a major problem since independence. All efforts to harness the security challenge in Nigeria have been abandoned and reports archived. I would plead here that the presidency constitutes a national peace conference which constitutes all ethnicities where they offer their contributions and suggestions towards national issues.”
For Joseph Gbagyo, “climate change and poor innovative approach at the State and national levels have caused a lot of insecurity. The change in climate has caused a lot of migration leading to herders’ invasion as well as adverse hunger. This should be checked properly if Nigeria must solve security infractions. The religious bodies should come together to retain Nigeria’s unity” he emphasized.
