Buhari and the Cattle Fulani

This is not the first time Nigeria is having a Fulani President. But this is the first time it is having one as a cattle rearer. It is an opportunity for all cattle rearers irrespective of their tribe to count on his empathy and exert some pressure on him to look into their problems. And their problems are many. Facebook space is not enough to contain their list.

The one I wish to address here is cattle rustling. My idea is that only technology can stop it. The innocence of the agricultural society is gradually eroded by the socio-ecenomic pressures of the urban world. The presence of a highly unregulated market where cow identity is not a requirement for sale or slaughter makes it a ready outlet for the rustlers. Here, only technology can save cattle owners from a phenomenon that is threatening to wipe out the Nigerian cattle population.

Tagging of cattle, difficult as it will be, is the answer. Let every cow, old and new, be tagged and registered. Its tag must answer all questions regarding its identity. Wherever the cow goes, it can be traced to its owner. It only takes between N300 to N500 to tag a cow. Every cow owner must be forced to do this and to register his calves not within 6 months of birth.

Then no untagged cow shall be allowed passage anywhere in the country. Likewise, no cattle market or abbatoire shall sell or slaughter any untagged cow. Doing so must be criminalised and should attract a very looooong jail term.

Details of the modalities of implementation can be worked out by the relevant ministry. Needless to say that it will involve many things, which can all be done any way.

This is a suggestion that should reach the President. It is not theory. It is now the standard practice even where you find a million heads on one farm and in many developing countries too. It is worth pursuing not only for the economic benefit of cattle owners but also for our national security. A Fulani deprived of his cattle is as dangerous to the society as a nuclear bomb.

Help us, Mr. President such that when our cattle are safe we can also claim that one of our own has also made it to the villa.

Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde
Gainako.