By John Moses
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his timely intervention in Benue State, following recent tensions and violence in the region.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, MACBAN’s National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, lauded the President’s recent visit to Benue, describing it as both courageous and constructive.
“We wish to thank President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his intervention and timely visit to Benue,” said Othman-Ngelzarma. “His bold call for political and traditional leaders to foster peaceful coexistence is a welcome move that we hope will lead to lasting peace in the region and across the country.”
He also extended gratitude to Nigeria’s security agencies and the Federal Government for their swift actions to stabilise the affected communities in Benue State.
Offering condolences to those affected, Othman-Ngelzarma described the violence as a “senseless loss of life and destruction of property,” and expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Benue State.
As the national umbrella group representing Fulani cattle breeders, MACBAN reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscape.
“As a key stakeholder in the Nigerian economy, and one of the largest contributors to the country’s GDP through livestock production, it is in our collective interest to build bridges of peace and mutual understanding,” he stated.
He further called on political, traditional, and religious leaders in Benue to halt divisive rhetoric and instead work together to promote reconciliation between farming and pastoralist communities.
