The Nigerian government is set to commence the implementation of the ‘Pulaku Initiative’, a large-scale resettlement programme aimed at addressing the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts and fostering national unity.
Pulaku, also called the “Fulani code of conduct,” is an integral cultural and ethical value system specific to the Fulani.
The farmer-herder crisis, more pronounced in the North-Central, has lingered for over two decades, claiming over 60,000 lives since 2001.
The programme will initially focus on seven states disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts. They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday, inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate the implementation of the initiative in fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of all Nigerians, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said.
The committee chaired by Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, also has representatives of governors of the benefiting states as members.
Other members of the committee include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director General of NEMA, among others.
Speaking during the inauguration of the implementation committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the vice president said the project must be seen as an emergency to tackle a challenge that has threatened the fabric of Nigeria.
“It serves as a testament to the fulfilment of the promises made by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The aim is to create an environment where the prosperity of our people is not just a distant dream but a tangible and achievable reality. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens.
“This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens,” the VP stated, assuring that the initiative will address “a challenge that has persisted across various generations and demands our collective resolve, our optimum sense of justice, and our unconditional compassion.
“This is not merely a response; it is a call to action. We are here because each of our programmes or policies will falter unless we get to the root of the dysfunctions we have inherited,” he added.
Explaining the concept of focusing on the seven states earlier mentioned, the Vice President stated, “The selection of these states is a deliberate and strategic approach. The aim is to generate ripple effects that will not only revitalize communities but also lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and cohesive Nigeria.”
VP Shettima further clarified that the Pulaku resettlement is “a national commitment to confront a threat that has fueled distrust and conflicts within communities and across the boundaries of our federation.
“This non-kinetic solution is not designed to compensate any particular group or region. Therefore, we must cast aside any notion of divisive regionalism and see the Pulaku initiative for what it truly isâa practical response to a shared challenge,” he added.
Urging all stakeholders to embrace the initiative with open hearts and minds, he said, “Let our legacy be measured not in the structures we build but in the lives we uplift, the unity we restore, and the collective strength of a nation rising above its challenges.”