Youths of Fulani extraction have been called upon to redeem the image of the ethnic group by shunning violent crimes associated with the ethnic nationality in Nigeria.
The youths were instead urged to channel their energies to productive endeavours that will better their lives and that of the country as a whole.
National President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Ahaji Abdullahi Bello-Bodejo made the call during the Musical Concert of Peace and Unity for the Fulanis, organised by the Concerned Fulani Youths on Monday, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Bello-Bodejo, in his speech at the occasion, said the ethnic group has suffered negative profiling due to its association with banditry and the attendant stigmatisation.
Represented by Eng. Ibrahim Adamu, North-East Zonal vice chairman of the association, Bello-Bodejo said the awareness that perpetrators of violent crimes were mostly youths was of great concern to the body.
He urged them to embrace education, agriculture and skills of their choice to contribute positively to the development of the country.
Bello-Bodejo also called on the educated among the youths to sensitise their peers on the need to embark on positive narrative about the ethnic group by promoting the rich cultural heritage they are noted for.
He also urged Nigerians to avoid profiling the ethnic group as harbinger of crimes, pointing out that there are bad elements in every tribes.
“There are only a few who take into criminality like there are criminals in every tribe, so people should stop ethnic profiling of criminals,” he stated.
For his part, the Nasarawa State chairman of the association, Bala Dabo, admonished the youths to always imbibe the example of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello in all their doing.
“This is one of the takeaways from the life of our great leader, but, unfortunately, our people only embraced the rearing of animals and neglected the other two.
“There is a need for us to go back to the advice of the late Sultan to ensure that our people fit into the modern society and stay in peace with other ethnic groups,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the event attracted Fulani artistes from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, among others.
