Ohanaeze kicks as Miyetti Allah demands creation of ministry of nomadic affairs

• MACBAN laments continued attacks on members
• Seeks access to funding, enlightenment

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, kicked against demand by Myetti Allah for creation of grazing reserves and nomadic ministry, describing the demand as ridiculous and illusive.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that creation of ministry of nomadic affairs would amount to duplicating duties of the Ministry of Education, as well as that of Humanitarian Affairs, insisting there is no need for such.

He maintained that the use of threats of violence by Myetti Allah to give conditions for peace shows that the Fulani organisation indirectly indicted itself for being responsible for the crisis associated with farmers and herders across the country.

The statement reads: “Ohanaeze has faulted resolutions of Myeitti Allah for creation of grazing reserves and nomadic ministry as unreasonable, unrealistic, and hallucinations of daydreamers, because cattle businesses all over the world remain an individual enterprise like other people who are in businesses of garments, mechanics and food v endors.

“Ndigbo has responded that the perceived demands for 415 grazing reserves across the country have sinister and wicked motives aimed at fuelling disintegration of the country, and land grabbing against indigenous people is a threat to national security and peace.”

IN another development, the South East Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Allahaji Gidado Siddiki, has alleged continued attacks on the group by hoodlums across the country.

Siddiki appealed to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar, and other stakeholders across the six geo-political zones, to engage government at all levels to ensure adequate protection of their cattle and people.

In a congratulatory message to the newly elected National Executives of MACBAN, led by Alhaji Baba Ngelzarma, signed and made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Awka, Siddiki alleged that members of the group had suffered greatly in the hands of criminal gangs, as well as malicious ethnic loyalists in the course of doing their legitimate businesses.

While appreciating those who have worked closely with him in the South East, he lamented that challenges of the moment is a clarion call for members of MACBAN to close ranks and genuinely seek collective good.

He expressed confidence that the Ngelzarma-led new executives will reach out to influential and knowledgeable persons, who has interest in their operations, to enhance the organisation’s vision.