The Fulbe are known for the most part, as Muslims. The Fulbe herdsmen are however facing challenges associated with ignorance, more particularly in Taraba state where missionary evangelical activities were reported to be sweeping the herdsmen away from the Fulbe flock; leaving the fold of Islam.
This is in addition to oppression and exploitation, intimidation and humiliation the Fulbe herdsmen face, begging for a big, loud voice to redress.
It is a serious threat that requires Fulbe intervention to get the herdsmen out of the maze.
Fulbe Development and Cultural Association, FUDECO Gashaka local government chapter, Taraba state has taken the bold step; engaging Fulbe to be in tune with modern reality and moral sensibility as a remedy and the effort paid off as exemplified by the award of the best performing chapter of the year she received.
The FUDECO annual award is initiated by the national chairman, SS Nana and is supported by the Fulbe distinguished personalities
Engr. Usman Bello the chairman, received the FUDECO award on behalf of Gashaka chapter as presented by Sen Usman Bayero Nafada (CON), Ambassador Hassan Jika Ardo, Prof, Abubakar Abba Tahir and Aliyu Bakari Dorofi (Trustee and State Secretary Taraba Chapter).
FUDECO Gashaka won a trophy, certificate and N300,000 jointly donated by the National Chairman SS Nana, Dr. Sani Raji Aminu, Arch. Bello Aminu and Sen. Usman Bayero Nafada.
The achievements of Gashaka LGA Chapter include but not limited to the following listed below:
Established 7 schools with 1,085 pastoralist children…
Enrolled 68 pupils in both public and private schools…
Offered scholarships to pupil S and students from their donations…
Opened a Chapter Office…
Resolved about 306 cases involving pastoralists amicably…
Built a new school with funding from Women for Da’awa…
Registered 5,453 pastoralists for National Identification Number, NIN…
Registered 4,223 for Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, while at the same time sensitised the pastoralists on the need to vote ahead of 2023 election…
Facilitated the purchase of 241 plots by pastoralists…
Assisted 2,353 Fulbe to open bank accounts in tune with the recent financial demand tailored towards e-transaction…
Setting up 5 Ward Chapters of the FUDECO…
Engaged the pastoralists, traditional and local authorities in peace, unity and mutual coexistence…
These and unmentioned others were achieved within just two years.
“We thank our Secretary General Barrister M.I. Arrifi for doing all the leg work for the Prize,” FUDECO Gashaka commended.