Falae was reacting to a comment by a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who attributed the problems of the Fulani herdsmen to lack of education.
Kwankwaso had said that the clamour for the exit of the Fulani herdsmen from Yorubaland betrayed the spirit of unity in the country.
In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, Falae said although education was very important, President Muhammadu Buhari must initiate a policy that would stop the Fulani herdsmen from roaming around.
He said, “Education is always helpful to anybody. That is a truism. But if there is education and there is no government or industrial policy to make it tough for the herdsmen to move around, that is pointless. The Fulani herdsmen can grow their business by acquiring industrial ranches where they can confine and rear their cattle. Yes education is important, but immediately there must be a change in policy.
“In the past in the Northern Nigeria, we had interstate cattle routes through which cattle move from Kano to Sokoto but in the last 20 years, I believe that due to governmental neglect, all facilities have disappeared. That is why we have anarchy and confusion.
Falae said the present government should use his abduction story to consider a change in policy in the interest of the herdsmen and stability and peace in Nigeria.
While stressing that cattle rearing has caused a lot of bloodshed and rivalry, Falae advised Nigeria to emulate other developed countries such as Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
He said although cattle rearing is a legitimate business, those who want to be in the business need to acquire lands and make ranches to confine their cattle.
He said, “Virtually all nations of the world own cattle and rear cattle. But most nations don’t allow their cattle to roam freely across farmlands and busy streets as we do in Nigeria.”
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