Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni on Sunday officially commissioned a Fulani Rural Grazing Area (Ruga) initiative settlement in Nguru Local Government Area, aimed at mitigating violent conflicts between farmers and herders.
The settlement, established by philanthropist Balarabe Abdullahi, popularly known as Balarabe DJ, is equipped with essential social and economic amenities. These include two-bedroom residential homes, a school, a shopping centre, a primary healthcare facility, potable water, electricity, and a mosque, designed to provide herders with a safe and sustainable living environment.
At the commissioning ceremony, Governor Buni highlighted that the project would help curb open grazing, which often leads to the destruction of farmland. He noted that the modern settlement would also support the integration of pastoralists into broader society, while improving their access to education and healthcare services.
“The school, clinic, healthcare facility, and housing provided for the Ruga settlement are commendable. We appreciate his contributions on behalf of the people of Nguru, Yobe State, and Nigeria,” the governor said, urging other public-spirited individuals to emulate Alhaji Abdullahi’s example in promoting peace and development.
Alhaji Abdullahi explained that the initiative was specifically designed to reduce conflicts by providing designated grazing areas for herders, promoting peaceful coexistence, and supporting agricultural productivity.
The Ruga settlement aligns with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, under which several northern states, including Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Bauchi, and Nasarawa, mapped out land in 2025 to establish grazing areas. The plan aims to address farmer-herder conflicts, boost food production, and complement the Federal Government’s livestock production objectives.
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