Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has urged the Fulani community in the state to embrace peaceful coexistence and remain law-abiding.

Sani, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Muktar Muhammad, stressed that the Fulani community must play a vital role in supporting the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity across the state.

The governor, according to a statement by the state’s Director of Media, Ibrahim Bayero-Zango, made the call during the inauguration of the new state executives of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Kaduna.

Also speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. James Kanyip, noted that the Fulani people often face stereotyping and blackmail.

He urged the newly inaugurated MACBAN leadership to be proactive in correcting negative perceptions.

“The leadership has a lot of challenges before it. Presently, the Fulani name is misunderstood and blackmailed,” Kanyip said.

In his address, the National President of MACBAN, Baba Ngelzarma, commended President Bola Tinubu for creating the Ministry of Livestock Development Affairs, carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture.

He called on northern state governments to establish similar ministries.

“We appreciate the President for recognising the importance of the livestock sector and establishing a ministry to cater to its needs,” he said.

On his part, the new MACBAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Abdulhamid Albarka, pledged to support the government in its quest for peace and security.

“We will work closely with security agencies to address security challenges and promote peace in the state,” he said.

Albarka also appealed to Governor Sani to consider creating a state Ministry of Livestock and Forestry Development to harness the economic potential of the sector.

“We believe the establishment of this ministry will significantly boost the socio-economic development of the livestock sector in Kaduna State,” he added.

Other dignitaries at the event included former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; the Minister of Livestock Development Affairs, represented by his Special Adviser, Dr. Sale Momale; and Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Nomadic Education, Dr. Bashir Haruna, represented by Director Muhammad Boro.

Also in attendance were representatives of the senators for Kaduna Central and Kaduna South senatorial districts, Lawal Usman and Sunday Katung, respectively.