Youths of Fulani extraction have been called upon to redeem the image of violent crimes associated with the ethnic group in Nigeria.
They urged the youth to channel their energy into productive endeavours to better their lives and the country’s.
They called during the Musical Concert of Peace and Unity for the Fulanis, which the Concerned Fulani Youths organised on Monday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
National President of Miyetty Allah Kautal Hore, Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Ahaji Abdullahi 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, Northeast Zonal Vice Chairman of the association, Badejo, said the fact that perpetrators of this crime were mostly youths is of great concern to the body.
He urged them to embrace education, agriculture, and skills of their choice and contribute positively to the country‘s development.
He also called on the educated ones among them to reorient their peers on the need to embark on a positive narrative about the ethnic group by promoting the rich cultural heritage they are noted for.
He urged Nigerians to avoid profiling the ethnic group as a harbinger of crimes, pointing out that there are harmful elements in every tribe in the country.
„There are only a few who take to 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, will always imbibe the example of the late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, in all they do.
„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 occasion attracted Fulani artists from Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon.
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