MITIGATING THE FARMER-HERDER CRISIS IN NIGERIA VIA SYNERGY AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

The 'National Conference on the Management of Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria: Prospects for greater synergy' was held at the Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR) on the 10th of August 2022. I was a valued stakeholder at the parley. The Co-conveners of the conference were Neem Foundation and Karuna Centre for Peace-building.

Photo L-R: Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (Retired Chief of Defense Staff/Chair of conference) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Former Director, IPCR)

The major sub-themes were:

*Mitigation of farmer-herder clashes in Nigeria (Moderated by Prof. Muhammad Isa Kabir)

*Opportunities for greater synergy for farmers & herders in Nigeria (Moderated by Dr. Joseph Ochogwu - IPCR)

Some of the participants were:

*Gen. Martin Luther Agwai - Retired Chief of Defense Staff/Chair of Conference

*Dr. Bakut tswah Bakut - DG IPCR

*Dr. Fatima Akilu - ED Neem Foundation

*Ms. Polly Byers - ED Karuna Centre for Peace-building

*HRH, Alhaji Aliyu Ogah Anawo (OON) - Andoma of Doma

*Dr. Emmanuel Akabe - Deputy Governor, Nasarawa state

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Former Director, IPCR

*Ms. Priscilla Achakpa - Global President, Women Environment Programme (WEP)

*Prof. Nana Tanko - ED, Victim Support Fund (VSF)

*Chris Ngwodo - DG National Early Warning & Early Response (EWER), Office of the Vice President

Photo L-R: Ms. Polly Byers (ED Karuna Centre for Peace-building/Co-convener of conference) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa 

Photo L-R: Dr. Fatima Akilu (ED Neem Foundation/Co-convener of conference) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The major thrust of my submission at the parley was that there should be palpable synergy among stakeholders operating in the field to mitigate the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria. Let a thousand flowers bloom, but there should be coordination. The stakeholders should stop working in silos and collaborate for positive and sustainable impact.

Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd Chief of Defense Staff/Conference chair) said most of the drivers of crime and criminality stem from elite manipulation of facts, culture and religion. Therefore, we must train ourselves to see opportunities for peace and subsequently equality for all. We must work together to build a better and equitable Nigeria.

Dr. Emmanuel Akabe (Deputy Governor, Nasarawa state) submitted that ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria is a disease. We must work together to establish the root causes and deal with them decisively, lest we get consumed in the fracas.

HRH Alhaji Aliyu Ogah Onawo (Andoma of Doma) was worried about the fact that the farmer-herder conflict has evolved, while sparing no class, tribe or religion. Therefore, we must all evolve strategies to tackle these challenges in ways that ensure sustainable peace for us and those unborn. We must go back to our traditional methods of conflict resolution.

Ms. Priscilla Achakpa (President WEP) fingered climate change as one of the most significant and least talked about causes of conflict and violent attacks that affect Nigerians irrespective of orientation and background. There should be more gender sensitive response to the farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria.

Ms Polly Byers (ED Karuna Centre for PB/Co-Convener of Conference) alluded to the scenario where there is direct involvement in peace-building at the community, state and national levels where citizens are given tools and skills to address mutual challenges. This leads to sustainable peace at all levels. We should stop separating 'farmers' from 'herders'. Both groups are collectively 'farmers of Nigeria' - the former are crop farmers while the latter are livestock farmers.

For Dr. Fatima Akilu (ED Neem Foundation/Co-convener of conference), we must strengthen efforts to give credence to voices that provide positive and sustainable solutions for resolving conflicts that hurt our country...

In conclusion, the discussion was robust, multi-dimensional and sought sustainable solution for the farmer-herder quagmire. Climate change and the competition for the scarce natural resources - land and water remain the elephants in the room... 

2023 edition, 12th December... National conference on the management of farmer-herder relations in Nigeria - Protecting our communities initiative

There were presentations/situation reports from various LG areas in Plateau, Adamawa and Benue states...

L-R: Ms. Polly Byers (ED Karuna Centre for Peace-building/Co-convener of conference) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa
  

 

 

CORRUPTION ANONYMOUS (CORA) WHISTLE-BLOWING PLATFORM

The Corruption Anonymous (CORA) Whistle-blowing Platform a.k.a. 'Blow The Whistle!' was launched at Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja on the 14th of July, 2022. I was a stakeholder at the event. The platform enables citizens report cases of corruption anonymously. The initiative is the brain child of the African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (ACMIL) and Partners United, supported by MacArthur Foundation.

                                                  Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the event

Some of the participants are:

*Representative of the Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning - Dr. Zainab Ahmed

*Representative of the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) - Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye

*Senior Programme Officer, MacArthur Foundation - Dr. Amina Salihu

*Coordinator, African Centre for Media & Information Literacy - Dr. Chido Onumah

*Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

*Director, Public Policy Initiative, Yar'Adua Foundation - Amara Nwakpa

*Representative of the EFCC

*Representative of the Nigeria Police

*Representative of National Orientation Agency (NOA)

*Representative Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)

*Representative Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)

Photo L-R: Dr. Amina Salihu (Snr. Programme Officer, MacArthur Foundation) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

After the formal launch of the CORA Tool on Partners United, there was a panel discussion on 'Practical Approaches & Best Practices for Incentivising Whistle-blowing in Nigeria'. The panel was chaired by Dr. Inya Ode (Lux Terra Foundation). The discussants were Oke Epia (OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative), Johnson Oluwadare (Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit), Azuka Ogugua (ICPC), Ayo Olowonihi (EFCC Academy).

CORA is indeed a valuable addition to the already existing platforms for reporting cases of corruption...

  

TRANSFORMING THE FARMER-HERDER CONFLICT IN NIGERIA VIA TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

On the 29th of June 2022, the Close of Project Workshop for 'Transforming farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria through technological innovation and outreach' was held online via Zoom. Prof. Matthew Turner, Prof. Leif Brottem (Project Coordinator), Allisa Stark and others joined the meeting from the USA. Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa and invitees joined from Abuja. Prof. Azeez Olaniyan came through from Oye-Ekiti, while Dr. Saeed Owonikoko and his team of herders who had tested the Mapeo Mobile App shared their experiences from Yola! It was indeed a robust exchange across the ocean. I was and still is the Civil Society Lead for the project in Abuja. The project was funded by the American Embassy, Abuja. The  twelve-month project began in August 2021 and the cycle closes August 2022. Some of the key personnel in the project are:

*Prof. Matthew Turner - Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Geography, University of Wisonsin-Madison, USA

*Prof. Leif Brottem - Associate Professor of Global Development Studies, Grimnell College, Iowa/University of Wisconsin-Madison: Oct. 2021-Present/Project Coordinator

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist & Former Director, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Abuja/Civil Society Lead for Nigeria-based activities

*Prof. Azees Olaniyan - Professor of  Political Science, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Nigeria/Nigeria-based academic team leader

*Dr. Saeed Owonikoko - Lecturer, Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria/Lead, Toolkit pilot testing in Adamawa state, Nigeria

*Alissa Stark - Web Cartographer, University of Wisconson-Madison Cartography Lab (https://geography.wisc.edu/cartography)/Customised a version of the Mapeo App for the use of pastoralists in Nigeria)

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa presenting her paper titled: 'Remarks on the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria' @ the Close of Project Workshop held @ the American Corner, Abuja

The papers presented at the Online Workshop are:

*Project background and overview of pastoral mobility vis-a-vis conflict - Prof. Leif Brottem

*Remarks on the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

*Presentation of Toolkit - Alissa Stark

*Toolkit experiences from Song & Gombi LGAs of Adamawa state, Nigeria - Dr. Saheed Owonikoko/Danjuma Musa/Manu Jibo

*The Mapeo App: Legal & policy considerations - Prof. Azeez Olaniyan

*Future direction/collaboration - Prof. Leif Brottem/Dr. Dayo Kusa/Dr. Saheed Owonikoko 

The first poster designed by Dr. Dayo Kusa when the Close of project workshop was to be held face-to-face @ IPCR, Abuja. The paucity of funds and logistic considerations changed plans to holding the workshop online, with Abuja invitees @ the American Corner...

About the project & the Mapeo Mobile App

The project addresses land access as a root cause of farmer-herder violence in Nigeria via strengthening conflict transformation mechanisms through US-Nigeria collaborative development of a Mobile Geo-spatial Toolkit. The kit would make adequate info on land resources more accessible/available to all stakeholders. The App would also be 'scalable' across Nigeria's farmer-herder conflict hot-spots. The project is in partnership with the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti & Modibbo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola. (Source: linkedin.com/in/leif-brottem-957a4250)

The Mobile App is a customised version of the offline - first Mapeo Mobile Application (Digital Democray) for pastoralists in Adamwa state, Nigeria. The App would give the pastoralists control over the spatial data that they feel  would assist them in the mitigation of conflict over land use and  resources. The toolkit for the Nigerian team includes custom observations and options which the observations as well as icons and map tiles. (Source: linkedin.com/in/alissa-v-stark-5b106b16)

Photo L-R: Chrisantus Lapang (EWER Manager, Mercy Corps), Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Bryan Weiner (Search for Common Ground - SFCG)

The beauty of the Mapeo Mobile App is that it's an 'Open Source Platform', locally driven and team-oriented. It's adaptable to low band width environments. The data structure facilitates flexible information management for communities. The Google earth engine sets global standards for remote sensing analysis of land cover and other environmental data. Mapeo designed an Application Protocol Interface (API) to interact with real-time  Earth Engine data over email or website. (Source: Project Proposal to the American Embassy). 

The process for the selection of the toolkit pilot testing sites was systematic and inclusive in consonance with the standards of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the testing of the toolkit is based on current UNDP guidelines for measuring projects' inclusivity, efficiency and efficacy towards achieving the following three goals:

1) Pace the Mobile Toolkit development.

2) Monitor the phases of production of the resource governance principles.

3) Organise the workshop according to pre-established criteria.

4) Execution of the media and outreach campaign

The goals are:

1) Develop a Mobile Geo-spatial Toolkit to strengthen conflict transformation mechanisms through US-Nigeria technology cooperation. This would improve access to land info.

2) Deploy the toolkit and conduct outreach ti increase its impact. Initiate national outreach and influence the debate on land governance and the farmer-herder crisis.

Some of the participants @ the Abuja end of the 'Close of Project Workshop': 2nd left front row: Chrisantus Lapang - EWER Manager, Mercy Corps, Abuja. 3rd left front row: Engr. Adams Otakwu - Concener of the 'Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria with representatives in the 774 LGAs in the country.

There was robust online discussion where Prof. Matthew Turner said that the use of polygons rather than simple points could be more helpful while deploying the Mobile App. Some commentators wondered if every pastoralist must own a mobile phone. The unanimous response was that it may not be necessary for every herder to possess a mobile phone. Traditional rulers, community leaders, district heads and other respected and trusted members of the community could hold at least one mobile phone with the Mapeo Mobile App installed on it in trust for the pastoralists in the area. A particular well known individual within the community could be saddled with the responsibility of disseminating the required information that would identify potential grazing spots while avoiding destruction of farmland...

Oscar Ekponimo, award winning AI/Robotics Expert/CEO of Gallery of Code, Abuja/Inventor of the Chowberry App was worried about the licensing structure for the App, etc. I guess the discussion between Oscar and Alissa should continue in order to further fine tune the App.

Next Steps:

1) It is obvious from the foregoing that the customised Mapeo Mobile App intended for the use of pastoralists in Nigeria, beyond Adamawa state where it's been tested, is work in progress, which needs to be constantly fine-tuned.

2) Further discussion is necessary between Oscar Ekponimo, Alissa Stark and other stakeholders for the evolution of the App into what is considered germane for the mitigation and indeed transformation of the farmer-herder crisis in Nigeria.

3) The ultimate aim should be the ownership of the Mapeo Mobile App by those for whom it's meant, the pastoralists in Nigeria. The farmers should not be left out of the discourse if we indeed wish to elicit harmony in that sector.

4) Because the Close of Project Workshop was held online, we missed out on critical outreach in Abuja to government agencies and other vital stakeholders. If and when there's more funding for the project, we should note that the outreach is still necessary.

5) The Press, the fourth estate of the realm, of which I'm a valued stakeholder (I was the first National Assembly Correspondent of the Guardian Newspaper at inception in 1983) is germane for the successful dissemination of the 'nitty gritty' as regards the Mobile App. Subsequent funding could make provision for training in Specialised Conflict Reporting - Reportage of Farmer-Herder Conflict in Nigeria. Many of the reporters have no clue as to the techniques of professional reportage of the conflict. Some of the current reports either in the 'traditional' or 'new' media actually contribute to the escalation of the conflict!

6) This project has definitely contributed to the strengthening of cordial relations between Nigeria and the USA. Such conviviality needs to continue.

7) Conflict Impact Assessment (CIA) of the App is necessary.While using the Customised Mapeo Mobile App, conflict could arise between and among pastoralists. Besides, even more complex conflicts could arise between pastoralists and farmers. What is to be done? I am a Chartered Mediator/Conciliator (Certified over two decades ago). In consultation with our formidable team, a robust conflict transformation mechanism specifically tailored towards relieving tension that occurs on account of the App could be developed. 

8) The gender dimension: We should note that not all pastoralists are male. Some women and girls are also pastoralists. They have special needs, separate from the men and boys. Could their needs be taken into account in the deployment of the Customised Mapeo App? For example, could there be designated polygons rather than specific points where female pastoralists could access water?   

9) The poor internet connection via Zoom/Google Meet, etc. frustrated me many times. We should continue to think of creative ways of making communication across the ocean relatively seamless...

10) The current language of the App is English, which most of the pastoralists and indeed farmers do not speak. In order to 'democratise' the App, there should be inclusivity as regards the use of language, starting with the Hausa language which most pastoralists and some farmers speak. Subsequently, other major Nigerian languages could be incorporated into the App.

The issues raised under 'next steps' are not exhaustive. The conversation continues off-line. Before I sign off, however, I must commend the leadership qualities of Prof. Leif Brottem (Coordinator of the project), who was under pressure throughout the project, working with a new set of 'colleagues' from Nigeria he hardly knew. He managed the cultural differences with dexterity, maturity and tact, while ensuring that the project continued against all odds. Bravo to every member of the team and our esteemed invitees. I appreciate you all...

                                           Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa facilitating @ the Workshop

     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa outside the venue of the Workshop @ the American Corner, Abuja

Related Links

*Promoting peace & managing farmer-herder conflict: The role of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Agogo, Ghana    https://www.cambridge.org/.../592467348FA...

*What Nigeria must do to stop farmer-herder clashes    https://www.premiumtimesng.com

*Herders against farmers: Nigeria's deadly conflict    https://www.crisisgroup.org/.../nigeria/252-herders-against-farmers-nigerias-expanding,,,

*9 facts you did not know about farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria    https://www.naija.ng

*ASUU seeks solution to farmer-herder clashes    thenationonlineng.net/unijos-asuu-seeks-solution-farmer-herder-clashes/

*FFARN Policy Brief: The implications of the 'Open-grazing prohibition & ranches establishment law' for farmer-herder relations in the Middle-Belt of Nigeria    https://www.sfcg.org/policy-brief-legislation-farmer-herder-nigeria/

*Herders-farmers clashes today: Ecology, class & categorical politics in contemporary Nigeria    https://www.quicknews-africa.net/herdsmen-farmers-clashes-today-ecology-class-and.../

*The drought-migration nexus: Implications for socio-ecological conflicts in Nigeria    https://www.researchgate.net/publications/273909802

*Land, conflict, climate change & violence in Nigeria: Patterns, mapping & evaluation    nsrp-nigeria.org

*Pastoralism in Nigeria's Middle-Belt region: A resource or a curse?    eajournals.org

*FFARN Policy Brief: Responses to conflicts between farmers & herders in he Middle-Belt of Nigeria: Mapping past efforts & opportunities for violence prevention   https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-responses-conflicts-farmer-herder-middle-belt-nigeria/

*FFARN Policy Brief: Seeking security & stability: An analysis of security responses to farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle-Belt region of Nigeria    https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-seeking-security-stability-analysis-security-responses-farmer-herder-conflict-middle-belt-nigeria/

*FFARN Policy Brief: Transnational dimensions of conflict between farmers & herders in Western Sahel & Lake Chad Basin    https://sfcg.org/policy-brief-transnational-dimensions-conflict-farmers-herders-western-sahel-lake-chad-basin/

*The impact of the farmer-herder conflict on women in Adamawa, Gombe & Plateau states of Nigeria    sfcg.org

*Prepared for peace: A cross-cutting conflict transformation toolkit for conflict & violent extremism in Northern Nigeria    sfcg.org

*Report on the future of the Forum on Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria (FFARN): 2021 and byond    sfcg.org

*Pastoralists vs arable farmers    dlc.dlib.indiana.edu/dlc/bitstream/handle/10535/1034/gefuj080502.pdf

*Resource use conflict between farmers and herders    https://www.researchgate.net/.../272510966_resource_use_conflict_between.../

*Pastoralist-farmers conflicts & the search for a durable resolution     https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pastoralist-farmers-conflicts-and-search-peaceful.../

*Socio-economic effects of farmer-pastoralist conflict    https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jae/article/download/126590/116117

*Newspaper coverage of herdsmen-farmers conflict in central Tiv-land, Benue state, Nigeria    journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1750635217741912

*Farmer-herder relations & conflict management     https://cgspace.cigar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/.../TranshumancePastoralism.pdf

*Livelihood issues in farmer-herder conflicts     www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJAR/article-full-text-pdf/OC8AB8864785

*Herder-farmer conflict in Nigeria: A threat to peace-building    https://africaupclose.wilsoncentre.org/herdsmen-and-farmers-conflict-in-nigeria.../

*The political ecology of farmer-herder conflicts in Nasarawa state, Nigeria    www.aijcrnet.com/journals/vol_4_no_2_february_2014/11.pdf

*Herders vs farmers: Nigeria's other security crisis     https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/.../herders-vs-farmers-nigeria-s-other-security-crisis/

*Only integrated livestock settlement can end farmer-herder conflicts    thenationonlineng.net/integrated-livestock-settlement-can-end-farmer-herder-conflicts/

*The transformation of conflict between pastoralists & cultivators in Nigeria    rogerblanch.info/conflict/herder-farmer.../

*Jihadists, drought threaten pastoral life in Sahel region    https://t.co/4891FOL2SI

*Device that pulls water from the air    wef.ch/2IcXfpC

*The application of Geo-spatial Analytical Technique in the...   https:digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi...

*Nigeria: farmers & herders clash over land    https://iwpr.net/global-voices/nigeria-herders-farmers-clash-over-land/

*2016 Strategic Conflict Assessment of Nigeria    www.ng.undp.org/.../nigeria/.../strategic-conflict-assessment-nigeria/

*Conflicts between transhumant pastoralists & farmers in Nigeria    https://pastoralist2.wordpress.com/...conflicts-between-transhumant-pastoralist

*Nigeria's 'cattle colony' problem     https;//www.aljazeera.com/.../nigeria-cattle-colony-problem-180128104645...html

*Land use conflict between farmers & herders    cdn.intechopen.com/.../In-Tech-Land_use_conflict_between_farmers_and_herdsmen/

*An assessment of farmer-pastoralist conflict in Nigeria using GIS    www.ijesi.org/papers/Vol(4)7/E047023033.pdf

*Arable land    jasdevr.org/ej/index.php/jasd/article/download/32/3

*Agricultural investments & pastoralists    www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/9/11/2063/pdf

*From complementarity to conflict    www.accord.org.za/ajcr-issues/from-complementarity-conflict/

*Transhumance # Pastoralism: Long-running Reindeer Movement in search of # Pasture Stoking Up Tension between Sweden & Norway    https://t.co/kwvUgNbj69

*How fake news fuels Nigeria's farmer-herder crisis    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44655148/

*Plateau: Farmer-herder forum suggests solutions to clashes    htps://www.dailytrust.com.ngplateau-farmer-herder-forum-suggests-solutions-to-clashes/

 

  

AMAC-FCT COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY ACCESS & CLIMATE ACTION

 On the 5th of July 2022, I was a valued participant at the official launch of Abuja Municipal Area Council's (AMAC) Sustainable Energy Access & Climate Change Action Plan (SEACAP). The welcome address was delivered by Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, Executive Chairman, AMAC. Dr. Azizat 'Sola Gbadegesin guided us through 'AMAC's SECAP journey & the SECAP key findings, targets and action'.

                    Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa outside Johnwood Hotel, Abuja, venue of the event

AMAC became a signatory to the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA) after signing the political commitment document (PCD) in January 2021. In order to translate their political commitment into practical measures, CoMSSA signatories commit to developing and implementing a strategic and operational document called the Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP). The SEACAP is a key document that sets strategies, plans, targets, and actions for a sustainable and low greenhouse (GHG) emission development pathway...(Source: CoMSSA - SEACAP Executive Summary, AMAC-FCT June 2022...) See also CoMSSA wbsite - www.comssa.org

L-R: Dr. Azizat 'Sola Gbadegesin (Climate Change, Energy & Resilience Officer, Local Government for Sustainability Africa - ICLEI Africa) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The major SEACAP pilllars are: Mitigation, Adaptation & Energy. Under the Mitigation pillar, 'By 2030. AMAC will reduce GHG emissions by 25% compared to business as usual and have a clean environment, sustainable clean energy supply, efficient transport system and integrated waste management system, in line with global best practice' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary)

Under the Adaptation pillar AMAC is committed to 'A resilient and sustainable AMAC that promotes the socio-economic well-being of vulnerable groups, and enhances the adaptive capacity of its economic sectors in a gender-responsive manner by 2030' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary). The gender aspect of this commitment is very important. Both sexes, especially women, need to be carried along since the environmental degradation affects men and women differently...  

Similarly, for the Energy pillar, 'By 2030, AMAC would have access to clean, reliable, efficient and affordable energy for all its populace for sustainable development' (Source: CoMSSA-SEACAP Executive Summary)

The foregoing commitments constituted harmonious music in my ears as a resident of AMAC-FCT from 2022 to date! I believe the promises would be fulfilled if all hands remain on deck and the level of political commitment is sustained...Bravo, AMAC-FCT...

                             Gbagyi Dance Troupe dancer entertaining guests @ the event

Gbagyi Dance Troupe still entertaining by pounding dry corn with pestle and mortar on the belly of one of them. What a feat!

 
  

SFCG's TOOLKIT FOR TRANSFORMING VIOLENT EXTREMISM & OTHER CONFLICTS

 Between the 15th and 16th of June 2022, the Forum on Farmer-Herder Relations (FFARN) 'cum' SFCG conference was held in Abuja at the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro. I have been a valued member of FFARN since inception. On the 15th of June, FFARN took stock of her activities so far (since 2017) when it was established as a forum of academics, practitioners and policy makers working towards the peaceful transformation of the farmer-herder conflict. FFARN members did their work at the conference with a view to making recommendations to the incoming administration in 2023 as regards what to do to mitigate conflict between farmers and herders.  

                Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ dinner (the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja)

About the Toolkit:

The Toolkit is labelled: 'Prepared for peace: A cross-cutting conflict transformation toolkit for conflict & violent extremism in Northern Nigeria'. I congratulate SFCG for employing the 'conflict transformation - CT' rather than the 'conflict resolution - CR' approach. I have a soft spot for the CT approach, the reasons why could detain us here...

                          L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & SFCG's CEO, Shamil Idriss @ dinner

The toolkit includes the three fields of practice: PVE, DDR and SPRR and the four sources of conflict: violent extremism, conflicts among farmers and herders, vigilantism & banditry. The seven objectives for developing the Toolkit are:

*Conflict Transformation

*Resilience

*Risk Management

*Disengagement

*Accountability

*Rehabilitation

*Reintegration

For a breakdown of the seven concepts above, please read the original text on SFCG's website. Lest I forget: A little bird told me that the Toolkit had such a strong influence on its audience that members of FFARN, who were earlier winding down and putting finishing touches to their White Paper on the Farmer-Herder crisis to the incoming government of Nigeria, said they were prepared to spend a few more days studying the contents of the newly launched Toolkit, with a view to incorporating relevant aspects of same into the method of formulating the White Paper/subsequent Policy Briefs! So you see, a good product like the Toolkit has no hiding place.

However, in my opinion, the Toolkit should be simplified for the Northern Nigeria audience, for which it is meant. This should entail translating the Toolkit into Hausa with pictorial illustration for the benefit of un-lettered citizens. The maximum number of pages for such a 'democratised' version should be four pages instead of the current English version of 102 pages! Once again, I congratulate SFCG for blazing the trail in the field of conflict transformation in Northern Nigeria.

                                     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the FFARN conference

     

                                                                        Dayo @ the dinner

                                                          Dayo outside the conference hall

    

  

STRATEGIES FOR INCLUDING WOMEN & YOUTH IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA

The 14th of June 2022 was another day when a critical mass of the populace took stock of the low level of involvement of women and youth in the political process in Nigeria. The 'x-ray' was under the auspices of the Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria (CCSN) powered by the able leadership of the Convener, Engr. Adams Otaku. The thrust of the clarion call was for Political Parties to field women and youths as running mates in the 2023 elections.

Photo L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Mrs. Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi (MD DoxaDigital & FCT Senatorial candidate for the APC @ the just concluded 2022 Primaries

About two months ago, the Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF) challenged the Federal Government in Court and got judgement to the effect that the stipulated 35% affirmative action be respected at all levels of government. The implication of this is that in every establishment women should constitute at least 35% of the employed or appointed. Obviously, this has not been effected in Nigeria. The Federal Government has challenged the judgement in Court.

Conference banner

According to Adams Otakwu, Political Parties should field more female candidates. Less than 5% of gubernatorial candidates are women, while over 95% are men. Less than 10% of candidates for the Federal Parliament are women, while 90% are men. Less than 20% of state Parliaments are women, while 80% are men.

These figures fall far below the global average. In other climes, women constitute about 23% of the seats in Parliament according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union data. These abysmal statistics make it clear that the current process of recruitment into politics is not sustainable. Humanity cannot continue to walk on one leg, that of men.

All hands must be on deck to ensure the inclusion of women, youth, PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the political process...

THE DYNAMICS OF FARMER-HERDER RELATIONS IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA

The Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD) held a two-day dialogue on the current dynamics of the farmer-herder crisis in North-West Nigeria between the 7th and 8th of June 2022. The dialogue was held at Hotel 2020, Wuye, Abuja. Specifically, the dialogue was to formulate/articulate a plan of action for the incoming administration at all levels of government - federal, state and local government as regards the strengthening of farmer-herder relations in North-West Nigeria. 

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa with the Emir of Argungu (Kebbi state), HRH Samaila Muh'd Mera, CON on the first day of the dialogue...

*HRH Samaila Muh'd Mera, CON - Emir of Argungu, Kebbi state

*Dr. Kwasari - SA to the President on Agriculture

*Samuel Aruwan - Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security & Home Affairs

*Ms. Khadija Gambo - Permanent Commissioner, Kaduna State Peace Commission

*Dr. Chris Kwaja - Modibo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Conflict Transformation Strategist/Gender Specialist, Abuja

*Dr. Bakut tswah Bakut - DG Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

*Prof. Jude Momodu - Modibo Adamawa University of Technology, Yola

*Dr. James Barnett - Researcher on the CDD book project

*Barr. Yusuf Anka - Researcher on the CDD book projct

*Dr. Saeed Husaini - Research Fellow, CDD

*Dr. Aishatu Yushau Armiyau - Psychiatrist @ Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi

After intensive deliberation and exhaustive debate, the following recommendations were made for mitigating the farmer-herder crisis in North-West Nigeria.

*The herders need to be listened to more. They need to further articulate their position vis-a-vis their own perception of the farmer-herder crisis and mitigation of same.

*There should be specific sanctions for 'ethnic profiling' in the farmer-herder crisis. This should entail a proper definition and agreement on what constitutes ethnic profiling.  

*There should be sanctions for impunity.

*State capacity needs to be beefed up in order to ensure that the preponderance of the use of force remains with the state and not in the hands of non-state actors. In this regard, small arms & light weapons (SALWs) need to be mopped up more effectively.

*Politics determines the economy, and by extension social relations (including farmer-herder relations). The selection process into the political space in Nigeria needs to be further interrogated in order to keep prebendalism (money politics), corruption, weaponising of religion/identity.

*The intersection between the farmer-herder crisis and banditry, kidnapping, abduction,etc needs to be further interrogated in order to sever this unholy alliance that keeps fueling the crisis.

*The influx of various ideological groups - ISWAP, ISIS, etc. needs to be focused upon. The tend to finance the crisis on a big scale while exacerbating same.

*The positive role of traditional leaders in the crisis cannot be overemphsised. A clearer mention of their mediatory/conciliatry role could be inserted into the Constitution.

*Ungoverned spaces need to be harnessed for better management, which should include effective community policing.

*Federal Government's NLTP programme needs to be expanded beyond the pilot states for more effective and efficient trickle down effect of the benefits of the concept for mitigating farmer-herder crisis.

*ADR and traditional methods of conflict transformation need to be deployed for effective management of the farmer-herder crisis.

*The Forum on Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria (FFARN) needs a higher level of visibility to be able to impartially intervene further in the crisis from the civil society view point.

*The gender dimensions need to be brought to the fore. Women feel the pinch of the farmer-herder crisis differently from men. For example, women become heads of households when their husbands and grown up sons are killed in the crisis. Raped women/girls, traumatised men/boys need psycho-social support which psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,etc can provide.

*The criminal justice system, where corruption allows an innocent citizen to be substituted for a criminal in Correctional Centres needs to be properly investigated and indeed stopped in order to stop impunity in its tracks.

The recommendations above are not exhaustive. The conversation continues on the corridors, at crucial formal and informal meetings...