A PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF RURAL GRAZING AREA (RUGA) SETTLEMENT IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Nigerian livestock industry is largely dependent on natural vegetation. Although there is vast hectare of natural vegetation in the country they are not maximally utilized due to poor planning and conflicting government policies. It was estimated that there are over 40 million hectares of grazing land in Nigeria, out of which only 3 million hectares are specifically tagged as grazing reserves (Kemi,1967; Adegbola,1982). These grazing reserves are areas set aside primarily for livestock production and were established under the Northern Region Grazing Reserves Law

of 1965 (Nuru, 1988). It was earlier recognized that over 90% of the nation’s livestock (excluding  pigs and poultry) are in the hand of transhumance and nomadic pastoralist, although there are growing number of settled livestock owners and agro pastoralist (Calder bank, 1991). According to Ezeomah (1987), in the past pastoralist did not make any serious effort to acquire lands largely because of their conservatism, independence and abundance of grazing lands. However, in recent years increased crop cultivation associated with other land needs due to the rapidly growing population has created serious pressure on many traditional grazing areas. These and other related problems have made the pastoralist to start seeking for the lands to settle for at least wet season. Ruga Settlement that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics ,markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and animal products.The research project presented illuminating discourse and assess the Ruga policy under General Muhammadu Buhari regime.

CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

Background to the study

The implementation of Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements, the latest plan by thePresident Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to put an end to a recurring conflict betweennomadic herders and farmers has been met with considerable outrage from Nigerians. Ruga is noother thing than a measure in ethnic domination and conquest, it seeks to create a new territory forFulani people all over the Nation, this might not be about cattle in any way

The concept of providing grazing lands for the uses of livestock can be traced to the traditional grazing ground “Hurmi” which were the areas of land at the vicinity of the towns and villages throughout Northern Nigeria (Nuru,2010). However, as the need of more farmland arises due to increasing human population, the available “Hurmi” and their connecting “Burtali” (Cattle Path) continue to decrease and their carrying capacity deteriorated. An attempt to preserve and restore their potential was undertaken by sowing better seeds in the late 1950’s around Kano and Katsina, but without legal status to prevent encroachment (Nuru, 1978; Suleiman, 1988). In recognition of the growing problem of diminishing grazing land in the late 1950’s, the forestry authorities were approved and an agreement was reached that grazing in certain forest reservescould be allowed in order t o provide the wet season “mashekari” for the pastoralist and indeed as a measure to avoid ever increasing farmers’ pastoralist clashes of wet season (Nuru, 1978; Ekpere,1984 and Calderbank, 1991). Consequently, the forest reserves at Wase, kukar-Jangarai, Zamfara-Anka, Udubo and Falgore were selected. The Federal Government and International Agencies likeUnited State Agency for International Development (USAID) provided the staff, technical trainingand financial assistance. Control grazing in these fores t reserves was started in the early 1960’s

(Nuru, 1978) however, the need to protect and improve the grazing areas and stock route and to understand the pastoral system was recognized by the colonial government in the early ‘50’s.

(Awogbade,1982; Ezeomah,1987). According to Nuru (1978); Suleman (1988) and Lamorde(1997), the first attempt to change the scope of nomadism in Nigeria dates back to 1901, when a very devastating drought occurred in some part of Northern Nigeria. The idea to encourage nomads to settle was first made in 1942 and the first trial settlement was at Riyom near Jos, Plateau State

To encourage pastoralist to settle, each herding household unit was allocated a piece ofland, encouraged to practice mixed farming and develop pasture areas. The plan did not last long because it was over-run by tin mining operations. In 1954, the World Bank reviewed the nature of pastoralism in Nigeria. In the review, it noted that range grazing practices was a seriousimpediment to livestock development and modernization. It further recommended that settlement or what is referred to as “stabilization” was the most important factor in the expansion and modernization of production. Three proposals were advanced for immediate developments. These were establishment of grazing reserves to be protected by law; provision of land rights to the pastoralist and the development of communal villages in grazing reserves as a means of bringing livestock into peasant agriculture. In 1965 these recommendations were passed in to law. The law allowed for a minimum 10% of the country’s land area to be legally acquired and constituted into grazing reserves for lease allocation to grazers. Presently, out of 299 proposed grazing reserves in the former Northern States and Abuja totaling to 2.3 million hectares, only 23 have been gazetted covering a total of just over 500,000 hectares

Fulani pastoralist constitutes a small but distinct cultural group wherever they are found in Nigeria. They share common feature and speak the same Fulfulde language with dialectical variation, but the truth of the matter is that the Fulani People hardly eat cow meat as they know   it’s not healthy for human consumption the true meaning of Ruga is they are more at home withlean meat. The Fulani indisputably represent a significant component of the Nigerian economy.They constitute the major breeders of cattle, the main source of meat, the most available and cheap source of animal proteins consumed by Nigerians. The Fulani own over 90% of the nation’s

livestock population which accounts for one- third of agricultural GDP and 3.2% of the nation’s

GDP (Eniola, 2007). Furthermore, the contribution of the Fulani to the local food chain and national food security cannot be overstressed. The Fulani, with their dominance in the Sahel region, are the best known and most numerous of all the pastoral groups in Nigeria. The traditionaland unique Fulani encampment (ruga) consisting of temporary structures made of stalks, closelyknit family members and livestock is the natural habitat of the orthodox Fulbe settlement (Eniola,2007) (Eniola, 2007)

It is estimated that about 30% of the Nigerian pastoralist are fully settled, 50% are semi-nomadic and only about 20% are truly nomadic. The semi nomadic group practice transhumance.They send out cattle to the areas of greener pasture during dry season and return to base “Mashakari” during the set season. The nomadic groups are continuously on the move according to the state of pastorage or food supply and have no fixed address (ILRI, cited by Lamorde,1997).In semi-nomadic and nomadic animal husbandry system, livestock can be sustained throughout the year enabling them to utilize crop residue, avoiding localized overgrazing and buildup of parasitic diseases (Calderbank,1991). This singular factor and other socioeconomic reasons are the main causes of migratory movement of pastoralist not only in Nigeria but throughout sub-Saharan Africa (Awogbode, 1982). Although the movement of the pastoralist is determined by the onset of wet or dry season, pattern of farmland under cultivation and access to market for the disposal of   milk by the pastoral women; clashes and conflict between the arable farmers and pastoralist is ever increasing.

THE IMPACT OF STUDENT UNION GOVERNMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF TERTIARY INSTITUTION A STUDY OF UNIVERISTY AND POLYTECHNIC COMMUNITY IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE/INTRODUCTION

Introduction:

A students’ union governmentis a student organization present in many tertiary institutions which protects and defends the right of students on campus. In higher education, the students’ union is often accorded its own building on the campus, dedicated to social, organizational activities, representation and academic support of the membership.

Depending on the country: the purpose, assembly, method and implementation of the group might vary. Universally the purpose of students’ union or student government is to represent fellow students in some fashion.

In some cases students’ unions are run by students, independent of the educational facility. The purpose of these organizations is to represent students both within the institution and externally, including on local and national issues. Students’ unions are also responsible for providing a variety of services to students. Depending on the organization’s makeup students can get involved in the union by becoming active in a committee, by attending councils and general meetings, or by becoming an elected officer.

Some students’ unions are politicized bodies, and often serve as a training ground for aspiring politicians. The combination of the youthful enthusiasm of the various members, a general lack of serious consequences for decisions, and a student media(if any) that is itself often partisan, inexperienced, and under no financial pressure to slant coverage to please a broad readership encourages very vigorous campaigning, debate, and political gamesmanship^. Students’ unions generally have similar aims irrespective of the extent of politicization, usually focusing on providing students with facilities, support, and services.

SUG in Nigeria

In a democratic country such as Nigeria, it is always a burden on the Student Union to be on the forefront of promoting and protecting the interest of its members in their common struggle to achieve the required best in learning.

History has shown that even long before independence, Students Union have acted the role of watch dog in checking the excesses of the colonial authorities. Student union then, were more or less a pressure group whose activities were focused in bringing about better education, good leadership, self rule and positive change in the people among other things. Whatever these unions considered unfavorable and unconstitutional’, they stand firm and unthreatened in opposing such and because their course is just, unbiased and honest, they have almost always succeeded in achieving their target objectives.

It is therefore not out of place that, the citizenry were ever ready to render all the necessary support to these student unions is whichever way possible to ensure that they achieve their agitations. Because people then have the belief in the activities and motivations of these groups, it is considered a “forgone conclusion” that whatever they are agitating for, is for the good of the students and indirectly the poor helpless masses hence support tends to be massive and in all forms: financials, moral, intellectual and in cases where applicable, human power. In those days, people seemed to have actually given there all to unionism. A true and bona fide unionism, which yielded the fruits of its activities as effectively as its members are firmly sincere to their responsibilities.

No doubt, historians have acknowledged that one of the key institutions of nationalism among English – speaking West Africa in the inter war period was a student Union.

The west Africa Student Union which was founded in London by LadipoSolanke in 1925 has been very much instrumental in promoting nationalism which brought about rapid independence in the west Africa Sub-region. The effort of Solanke and others officials such as Awolowo, Nkrumah, Azikiwe and other renown activists deserves the loudest of applause and recommendations. It was the unalloyed resolution of these distinguished unionist which equally matched with the stubborn resolve of the colonialists that finally defeated the colonialist and gallantly brought about the string of independence in the sub – region. Indeed this is a unionism per excellence that is unequal anywhere in the world. Even before the independence, the union has been the force behind the major changes in administrative and economic matters reluctantly introduced by the colonial authorities under massive pressure.(Abba Y. in Maiduguri 2013)

Even after independence, student unions formed have continued with the pressure group characteristic of their predecessor and sometime resolving to militaristic tactic in an attempt to achieve their agitation, which were mostly in the interest of Nigerians. The Unions seemed more militaristic in their demands during the military rules. During this period, student unions have to be militaristic in their activities in order to attend a relative equal footing with the military in order to press home their demands. We are all witnesses to the stories of union officials touring the country in total disguise sometimes under the cover the night trying to canvass for support and understanding among Nigerians in order to leave up to their responsibilities to the Nigerian student. Sometimes, the campaign has been tough. Union officials have been beaten and jailed. More gallantly, they sometimes engage in fierce battle with security personnel. Indeed, ‘gallant’ unionists are known to have lost their lives in such battles with the authorities over their rights. A very pertinent example of such killing by the authorities of student union officials was during the students’ protest of 1978 when students protested over the issue of the quality and quantity of meal they were being given at school. During that incidence, government bullets to silence them killed several unionists and students. Truly, these ‘fallen heroes’ are indeed an embodiment of student unionists who fought and died on the altar of serving their fellow students.

Therefore it stand to reason that, the importance of student union cannot be under estimated and that the inherent sensitivity of the union is indeed an effective ‘weapon’ in the hands of the Nigeria students who have no any other ‘weapon’ to fight the over bearing government, to use it effectively ‘against’ the government to press home their genuine demands.

Today however, the discouraging story of students unions in is that of whatever discouragement one could ever think of in their wildest imagination. Looking at the environment, they rarely exist and where may be existing, they do so in what I would want to call a “continuous vegetative existence” in which their existences is akin to nominal existence. Therefore, what remains of student unionism in Nigeria, is that of its final interment to rest in peace. A troublesome “peace” before members meet to seek judgment for all the deceit they have suffered from the hands of their selfish officials. Or, how else could one describe a situation where the very officials who should be the vanguard of the Nigerian students in achieving their common objectives have actually turned out to be actively colluding with irresponsible authorities in order to cheat on the very people who have given them the mandate to represent them. It is even more damning to note the student leaders across the country are hopelessly tied to the apron string of their governments so that their actions and activities are in line with the dictates of the government, however, detrimental or destructive it could be to the student and the education sector in general. It follows that their various government systematically muzzles student unions so much so that a student could complete his/her degree programme without even knowing the name of the unions’ leader in the school. This relative anomalous it seems, out of the fact that unions leader no longer know their responsibilities. It is sometimes ridiculous that student unions leaders don’t even know the constitution of the very institution they are steering its affairs. We have a pour example in our school here.

I often sometimes sit down and think as to what really motivate these student unions officials choose to represent their fellow students. Unfortunately though, the truth is that they are most times motivated by corruption. There has hardly been a student unions that has successfully completed its tenure in office with an allegation of corruption being rebelled against them. If not at least from the school authorities, it could be from the students who elected them. It happens that almost all the student unions in this country were forced out of office earlier than they should due to corrupt practices. Of all the student unions bodies across the country, the so – called student unions government or SUG seems to be the most irresponsible and corrupt of all. The unions, its infinite tendencies of corrupt practices, has actually transmuted itself from its original responsibilities of promoting and protecting the interest of the Nigerian student to that of ‘money making ventrie’. The body has continued to unnecessarily exploit and over burden the poor students it claims to protect. It therefore became an established tradition with the body for every tertiary student across the country to pay mandatory dues whose purposes nobody knows for certain and which have over the years accumulated into hundreds of millions of Naira. To what use have these money being put into and of what significant importance has the unions been to the Nigeria student for all the while that it came around, is a question that would remain unanswered till the cows come home. The best the unions can do, it seems, is attendance of unnecessary and irrelevant conferences across the country and a pretext visitation to politicians in anticipation of “brown envelopes”. And sometimes build one or two mini projects which most times will not amount to 10% of the entire dues students pay.

Weighing the pros and cons however one is tempted to ask whether we should continue to run Students Union Governments in Nigerian schools and I say “YES”. Yes because our constitution allows freedom of association. Could that be the only reason? Certainly not, I say Yes because we cannot fold our hands and watch corrupt individuals rob the many of us who still have good dreams and aspirations for this country the opportunity to learn to participate in the polity. I say YES because SUG is one platform where true leaders of tomorrow are groomed, nurtured and presented with the opportunity to develop into real-life politicians.

The only way out however, is to enthrone true democratic principles within the students union allowing students to run their affairs completely with little guard and guidance from the school managements. Now let us discuss the term democratic values in broad.