THE GRAZING RESERVE- A STRATEGY TO ISLAMISE; BY SAM-MBOK NENKANG

THE GRAZING RESERVE- A STRATEGY TO ISLAMISE; BY SAM-MBOK NENKANG

I would have preferred to start on a better introduction of the subject, but the better part of me wants to speak directly to the Governor of Plateau State. Please can someone give me Governor Lalong's number? I need just 10 seconds on phone with him... it appears he has lost ownership of his God-given mind!

My fears are gradually coming to reality and it's so appalling that the people with the mandate to protect us have willingly given themselves to be used as puppets in the hands of our enemies.

I am not so surprised at the back to back poor performances of the Governor, but on the issue of "grazing reserve" in plateau State, I believe it is an act of betrayal and an insult to our collective intelligence for the Governor or any other person to try to convince us that the move to give our lands to herdsmen is in our interest.

It's so heavy to imagine that we are been played and our leaders are singing along and clanking their hands to the beats. There are so many questions in my mind and I'd like all of us to ponder deeply.

My first question is "why Kanke and Mikang?" Not that a different Local Government in Plateau State would be acceptable by me, but the odds are obvious and the logic is not far fetched. Kanke and Mikang are small and don't have what it takes in terms of soil property and land topography to be selected as the sites for the grazing reserve on the Plateau. This alone points to the fact that we are looking at something much more than just a grazing reserve.

The Fulanis and their Moslem cohorts have gained enough prowess and strength that they have a major political and "military" stake in Plateau North and the far South, that is why non of the aforementioned was picked for the grazing reserve. Because of the need to conquer new grounds. To strategically occupy the places less flooded my Islam (Shendam, Wase, Jos North) or that have already been comfortably occupied by the Fulani herdsmen (Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bokoss). When you look at the map of Plateau State and try to pick out areas already flooded by Muslims/Fulanis you would have an idea what I'm talking about.

A primary 4 pupil understands that the chances of the fulani man to be welcomed to Kanke, Mikang, Pankshin etc, without turmoil are slim hence the need to diplomatically bring them to such places. This is because people have learnt from the bitter experiences in other surrounding communities such as Kura falls, Rim, Riyom and so many others who once welcomed the fulani people believing they could coexist in peace but had very nasty experiences.

Statistically, with the rate at which these people are multiplying and gaining numbers, the next 50 years from now is predictable. In the Northern and Southern Plateau, they already have as much as they need to propagate their agenda, but for them to completely conquer the Plateau, they need to win more grounds (Plateau Central). It's obvious because Kanke and Mikang do not have what it takes in terms of plain fertile lands to be picked out for the grazing reserve as stated earlier.

But when you look at it as a carefully schemed strategy to occupy and gradually take over every part of the State, then the bigger picture will come to you clearly. When every part of the State is convincingly cuddled by the Islamic propaganda, then they will have the much needed political Stake, the sense of ownership, and a good reason to proclaim Plateau State as an Islamic State.

Furthermore, the clashes between Farmers and herdsmen would definitely continue because basic economics teaches that when the resource is scarce, competition ensues. This competition has no referee so only the strong will survive, in this case the person with the better military prowess. The farmers and the herdsmen will fight for the scarce resources and blood shed is inevitable.

In addition, an uncivilized person can not adhere to rules. Therefore, whatever law the Government intends on making to ensure that the herdsmen stay within the jurisdiction of the so called reserve would only be a fasad because the herdsmen won't adhere to such laws. And when the time comes that the blood of innocent men, women and children is been shed, the Government is going to be deaf and blind to our plight, as exemplified in their silence when innocent lives were destroyed in Jos and Benue State .

Plateau State is backward, and the reasons are multifaceted, one of which is the frequent ethno-religious frictions we've had in the past. Such frictions discourage foreign investors, freeze economic activities in the State, destroy lives of the youth who constitute the larger chunk of the work force in the State, destroy investments by individuals and the Government, etc. The grazing reserve bill, if passed into law would only perpetuate such clashes, further dragging this state backward. The game players know so well that once the economy is crippled, defeat is only a question of time.

I am sure the grazing reserve bill has not put into consideration the fact that these herdsmen are not static, hence they would reproduce and their animals would reproduce as well, thus causing a remarkable growth in their population. Therefore the need to expand their coast In the near future is certain. In that case, there would be need to encroach into other peoples' lands, even if it takes them murdering the owners of such Lands as they have been doing lately in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and some quarters of Benue State.

I am sure some of us are indifferent about this issue in hope of a Government that would come and save the day. But think of this; If at some point in time a new Government arises and does not accept this idea and decides to repeal the grazing reserve law, what kind of catastrophe are we or our children or our Children's Children going to face? Do you honestly believe the fulani people will agree to move out of the comfort of Plateau weather without a fight? Move to what part of the world when they have no permanent home to even start with? The moment this law is passed, a million fulani herdsmen from different parts of the world would start trooping in and occupying massively. They would overwhelm every cranny of the State. They have the Government's support so they would, if need be, buy our lands with huge and irresistible sums of money.

Are we not asking questions at all??? Why is the president so keen about passing the grazing reserve bill into law? Is that a priority in thus country? Why is the President insisting, that of all the Agricultural and livestock varieties, he wants a grazing reserve? Why not poultry, piggery or even coffee plantation reserve?? Could it be that the Government intends to start exporting beef and dairy products? No I don't think so! Could it be that there is more to this than what meets the eye? Yes, It's obvious that there's a bigger agenda, a bigger masterpiece with leathal consequences. Consequences that can not be revoked because once these people come, they are here to stay!!! That is why the law intends to be passed sooner than you can imagine... while the president still can!!!

We must arise and speak as a people with one strong voice. We must make a stand and make sure our Leaders understand that we would not accept the grazing reserve bill even if they go behind us to make secret deals and pacts with the Government. The Ngolong Ngas, The Gbong Gwom Jos, the Lon-Gumai, the Ponji-Taroh and all other Chieftains must understand that the people have taken a stand and any attempt by them to do otherwise would come at a cost, a grievous cost!!!

By Nenkang Sam Mbok