In a show of commitment to education and agricultural development, Professor Sidiqat Aderinoye-Abdulwahab of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, has endowed N1.5m prize reward to the best male and female graduating students in agriculture at the institution.

Professor Aderinoye-Abdulwahab made the announcement while delivering the 289th inaugural lecture of the university, titled, “Sustainable, Smart and Safe Pastoralism in Nigeria.”  

She described the endowment as her way of giving back to the society and encouraging future generations of agriculture students, especially women.

“As a way of giving back to society and encouraging future generations of womenfolk, I pledge N750, 000 for the next 10 years to the best male graduating student. This is in honour of my husband for his unwavering spirit, unflinching support, and overwhelming dedication towards my success,” she said.

The professor also donated a sum of N750, 000 to the best graduating female student in agriculture in memory of Hajiya Fauziyah Ali for directing her towards the acquisition of a Ph.D that culminated to her achievement.

Beyond the donations, the professor used her lecture to advocate for the promotion of safe pastoralism in Nigeria. She called on the Ministry of Livestock Development to educate pastoralists and establish conflict mediation units to address tensions between farmers and herders.

The professor also charged policymakers to formulate and implement relevant pastoral policies that would enhance the implementation of existing grazing reserves and ranching.

She said the practice of herding and grazing ruminant animals has a long and varied history and could be traced to the Stone Age period.

“The story of Cain and Abel’s conflict is proof that farmer/herdsmen conflict and altercations have a history rooted in the ancient period. It serves as a timeless metaphor for struggles between different livelihoods, cultures, and identities. Correspondingly, today’s clashes between farmers and herders stem from deeper tensions of competition for scarce resources,” she said.

She explained that migration could occur either because the environmental quality of a habitat has become unlivable or a migrant’s economic outcome was better in areas with greater resource availability.

The don said: “One fundamental feature of herdsmen is migration, but the effects of migration on host communities’ farms include pressure on land, cultural and social differences, overpopulation, and social disorganisation, which are conflict triggers. The complex interplay of livelihood, environmental and social insecurity challenges facing pastoralism in Nigeria requires a multifaceted solution.

“As we strive for an aggregation of sustainable, innovative, and safe pastoralism in Nigeria, I would like to leave us with the words of our creator, who reminds us thus – And He created the cattle for you; in them is warmth and numerous benefits and from them you eat.”
Photo: Food basket