HERDSMEN/FARMERS CLASH: SCIENTIST PROFER SOLUTION

With the perennial and recurrent herdsmen and farmers clashes in the Southern Kaduna axis of Kaduna state that has claimed several scores of human lives and left waste, properties worth billions of naira, there have been series of proposals and solutions proffered towards seeking and enduring peace in the area.

Adding voice to all of the proffered solutions is a young Nigerian Laboratory Scientist, Kabir Musa who has conducted a comprehensive research that can help solve the persistent herdsmen/farmers crisis that is bedeviling the country; and at the same time diversify the nation’s economy.

Kabir Musa is seeking audience with President Muhammadu Buhari whom he hopes to handover the recommendation to, personally.

The young scientist stated this during a media briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Secretariat yesterday.

Worried about the numerous challenges created by herdsmen/farmers crisis that has now even taken ethno-religious dimension, Kabir disclosed that this prompted him into digging deep to his decision which has rewarded him with the document he has come up with.

“What I have done is a research that is an improvement on researches conducted in the past, which if adopted and implemented, will solve the present economic recession and diversify our economy”, Kabir Musa.

The scientist illustrated this with the aid of a projector, capturing an example of a research conducted by the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika.

In the said research which was conducted over 30 years ago by a team of scholars, several recommendations on how to improve the yield and health of cattle and livestock were made.

Musa said he was optimistic that Nigeria was blessed enough to sustain itself and even export to other countries, hence, the findings of his research holds a key to several problems bedeviling the country, with the farmers/herdsmen clashes being one of the issues.

Appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to grant him audience, Musa stressed that the entire country would be better off if his work is adopted.

Asked if he had made any previous attempt(s) to see the President but failed, he didn’t respond, but expressed optimism that Nigeria would be great again soon, and President Buhari being the man he is, will definitely grant him the audience to present the document to.

OCHE’S REPORT

The temporary closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and diversion of flights to the Kaduna Airport has had its effects on business activities and concerns around the airport but however, there are still some businesses going on there that will make a first time visitor to wonder if truly the airport has been shut down.

Independent, in trying to get a closer perspective, visited the Abuja airport and from discussions with people on ground, it was observed that Bureau de Change offices were fully open to business with people trooping in to carry out transactions.

Habilla Usman; a Bureau de Change    

Yes, we are very much on ground carrying out our businesses as people coming in from Kaduna still require our services as many of the travelers needs to either change from foreign to local or the other way around.

Business might be dull but it is better than nothing. Some of us have our representatives in Kaduna and we are in constant touch with the happenings over there. So, it is not that much is really happening that we have to be worried about.

Speaking with Captain Joji, he revealed that business is ongoing for those doing their businesses at the Abuja International Airport. Some of the business concerns are still functioning at the Abuja international airport and these includes Bureau De Change, restaurants, transport shuttle buses and shop owners etc.

Other activities are still operative and this also includes hotels. We must understand for those who have relocated, they will definitely get replacements. There is no love lost at all. In fact, those people that are here now, are glad with the recent developments.

We hear that the Abuja airport is still coordinating passenger movement.

The problem we had initially; you know Chisco motors, was responsible for the movement of passengers from Abuja to Kaduna. Initially what they had on ground was the big buses which in most instances did not get enough passengers so they had to switch to using the smaller 18 seater buses but when they have more loads and luggage, they switch to the bigger buses. As you can see, you will observe that there are small buses, shuttles buses that move the passengers to and fro. These are more convenient and fast.

There are still a lot of activities that are functional at the Abuja airport. The market here is still operational both within and outside the airport. If you look around now, you will see people under the trees where there are “bukaterias” where one can get cheaper meals unlike when you go into the terminal where it is very expensive. As you know, Nigerians are very smart as they now have a lot of “bukas” which are receiving more patronage than ever. In fact, their numbers have increased.