Fulani Scholars, Others Launch New Association Against Insecurity, Illiteracy

A new Fulani organisation, the Association of Fulbe Scholars and Intellectuals (ASOFSI) has been established to sensitise, educate and enlighten Fulani communities as part of efforts to curb insecurity and underdevelopment.

The leader of the association, Dr Fatihi Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, disclosed this during the first North-East meeting of Fulbe scholars and intellectuals in Bauchi yesterday.

He explained that the association had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), stressing its commitment to promoting Fulani cultural heritage, education and development.

Fatihi said the association intends to address the evolving role of the Fulbe in education, politics and the strengthening of Islamic intellectual traditions as part of efforts to tackle the lingering socio-economic challenges facing Fulani communities in Nigeria.

The Federal University Kashere lecturer identified ignorance and lack of modernisation as some of the major problems confronting many Fulani herders.

According to him, the association will prioritise the education of Fulani herders’ children and the inculcation of Islamic knowledge to help raise responsible leaders and reduce insecurity in the country.

He added that scholars under the association would visit Fulani settlements wherever they are located as part of Da’awah activities aimed at preaching, educating and enlightening herders and their children to prevent them from joining criminal groups.

Imam Fatihi noted that addressing the multiple challenges facing Fulani communities requires a well-organised strategy centred on education and enlightenment on the dangers of engaging in criminal activities.

He also stressed the need for Fulani herders to adopt modern methods of cattle rearing instead of the traditional roaming system in order to reduce farmers-herders clashes.

According to him, government interventions targeted at herders may not achieve meaningful results without proper education and awareness among beneficiaries.

He therefore advised Fulani leaders to renew their commitment towards improving security and ensuring better welfare for their people.

Also speaking, a prominent Fulani leader, Hon. Muhammad Aminu Tukur, lamented the issues of insecurity, ignorance and stigmatisation affecting Fulani herders.

Tukur warned that if the situation is not given adequate attention, it could lead to the collapse of livestock farming in the country.

He assured that Fulani herders would continue to support government initiatives aimed at tackling insecurity at all levels.

He further advised herders to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around their communities to security agencies for prompt action.

Scholars from the six North-East states who attended the meeting pledged their commitment to ensuring the success of the association.