Farmers, herders conflict: Stakeholders meet in Kebbi

Stakeholders will gather in Birni-Kebbi, Kebbi State on February 22, 2020 with the aim of finding a lasting solution to the seemingly intractable problem of farmers/herders conflict currently ravaging the country.
The symposium is being organised by the Committee of friends of a former Attorney-General of Kebbi State, late Alhaji Abubakar Boyi Dikko, to commemorate the first anniversary of his demise.
The theme of the National Symposium is: “Finding Lasting Solution to Herder/Farmer Conflict: The way forward for harmonious co-existence.”
This information was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Secretary of the Organising Committee of the First Annual Abubakar Dikko National Symposium, Muritala. Abdul-Rasheed.
The statement explained that the choice of the theme was in tandem with the principles of amity, peace and harmonious co-existence of all citizens that Dikko espoused vigorously in his lifetime.
The statement said: “This theme is of great importance because Alhaji Diko during his life time was committed to issues that affect pastoralism and pastoral communities especially in the areas of education and mediation in disputes between herders and farmers.
“It is hoped and expected that some of the outcomes of the Symposium will include strategies and mechanisms that will engender and entrench lasting solutions to the seemingly unending herder/farmer conflict in Nigeria.”
Though, taking place in Kebbi State, the National Symposium, according to the statement, will be hosted by the Governor of three states: Governors Abubakar Bagudu, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Mattawale of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States.
A number of former classmates of the decease are also slated to be in attendance.
They include former Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, Justice Abdu Aboki, the presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division; Justice Nasiru Ajana, Chief Judge of Kogi State; Chief Judges of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano and Jigawa States; as well as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro (SAN).
Representatives of government at all levels, members of civil society groups, especially those which specialise in promotion and protection of peace, members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and diverse stakeholders from the general public are also expected to be in attendance.
Underscoring the strategic importance of the symposium against the background of Dikko’s selfless life, the statement said: “A man who provided solutions in his time on earth has now given us a lasting reason to gather in his honour as well as simultaneously seek and achieve lasting solutions for the nation we all hold dear to our hearts.”
The symposium is a part of the series of activities initiated to commemorate Dikko’s achievements as a humanist who spent the major part of his life advancing humanity through promotion of mutual understanding and cooperation.
Some of the other commemorative activities which had started since last year are the Annual Abubakar Boyi Dikko Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to the Best 400 Level student in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Faculty of Law last year; A.B. Dikko Memorial Award for the Best Graduating Student in English Language at Government Secondary School, Kebbi, formerly Nagari Science College, Birnin Kebbi, which was his alma mater.
Dikko, who had at different times been the Attorney-General of the old Sokoto State, comprising present-day Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, as well as the Deputy Attorney General of the Republic of Zanzibar, was born on January 4, 1956.
He lived a life of distinction before making transition to the great beyond on February 22, 2019.