The federal government is set to launch the ‘Pulaku’ Initiative, a large-scale relocation initiative aimed at tackling the core causes of farmer-herder conflict and creating national unity.
As a result, Vice President Kashim Shettima established a steering committee on Tuesday to oversee the initiative’s implementation, fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vow to enhance the lives of all Nigerians.
Ahmed Dangiwa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, chairs the committee, which also includes governors from the beneficiary states.
Other members of the committee include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director General of NEMA, among others.
Speaking during the inauguration of the implementation committee on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Vice President said the project must be seen as an emergency to tackle a challenge that has threatened the fabric of Nigeria.
“It serves as a testament to the fulfilment of the promises made by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The aim is to create an environment where the prosperity of our people is not just a distant dream but a tangible and achievable reality. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens
“This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens,” the VP stated, assuring that the initiative will address a challenge that has persisted across various generations and demands our collective resolve, our optimum sense of justice, and our unconditional compassion.
“This is not merely a response; it is a call to action. We are here because each of our programmes or policies will falter unless we get to the root of the dysfunctions we have inherited,” he added.
The Pulaku initiative will initially focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts.
They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna State.
The initiative aims to revitalize these communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities.
VP Shettima further explained that the Pulaku resettlement is “A national commitment to confront a threat that has fuelled distrust and conflicts within communities and across the boundaries of our federation.
“This non-kinetic solution is not designed to compensate any particular group or region. Therefore, we must cast aside any notion of divisive regionalism and see the Pulaku initiative for what it truly is—a practical response to a shared challenge.”
He urged all stakeholders to support the project with open hearts and minds, saying, “Let our legacy be measured not in the structures we build, but in the lives we uplift, the unity we restore, and the collective strength of a nation rising above its challenges.”
Representatives from numerous Nigerian states and institutions attended the meeting, including Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Mohammed Bago of Niger, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Dikko Radah of Katsina, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara.
