New executive committee of the largest body of herders, Miyyety Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Plateau state chapter, emerged at a keenly contested poll, Sunday evening at Sharna Place, Jos.
The national president of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, admonished the new leadership to sincerely and timeless work at ensuring that pastoralists get the best of protection and behavioural change in the state.
While addressing delegates and all stakeholders, he said the good morals and core attitudinal values of sincerity, peaceful living with all Nigerians should be reinvigorated amongst the “Fulani as a people.”
“We were known for our peace, good moral values, but today things have been become different, whatever bad that is committed, it is link to the Fulani, whether true or false.
“We should rethink to make good things that would redeem our image,” he admonished.
The MACBAN president, while fielding questions, said on the other hand, cattle theft is in the increase, cattle routes and grazing fields are been occupied by farmers and other government development projects, damning the consequences.
“We expect that they (new executives) will create awareness amongst pastoralists in Plateau state, to control youth restiveness, to check the prevalence of drugs abuse and proliferation of small and light arms and to ensure that our youth are not involved in any form of criminality.
“They should educate members on the importance of peace, only a poor man that fights, pastoralist are very reach people…they have seen consequences of crises, it has made a lot of families become destitute in Plateau state. So, we believe that this leadership will work to bring about attitudinal change amongst pastoralists in the state,” the president said.
Tweenty-two persons were elected with eight keenly contested for.
Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Babayo, emerged as winner of the state chapter chairman, having scored 47 votes, as against 31 votes of his contestant, Salisu Jauro, Muhammad Salisu Isah, emerged secretary with 44 votes to defeat Muhammad Salisu Musa with 36 votes.
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