By Wisdom Nwedene
It’s no longer a news that President Muhammadu Buhari, last week, suspended the Ruga Settlements for the rampaging Fulani Herdsmen after public outcry.
It’s very devastating that while many countries are talking about infrastructure, technology, building hospitals and schools, in Nigeria, the issue of Ruga settlements for cows and Herdsmen have turned to a national issue.
It’s very pathetic.
I was left in shock when many people went into jubilation following the suspension of the scheme. This is because many Nigerians seem not to understand that word “Suspension”.
Below is the meaning of the word “Suspension” from my Oxford English Dictionary
“temporary or conditional delay, interruption”
According to latest report which got to me today, the Federal Government may have begun to restrategise on how to reintroduce the RUGA scheme, which it recently suspended.
According to a letter from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, gave this indication away at the weekend.
According to the letter, dated 2 July, 2019, an implementation committee of the National Livestock Transformation Programme comprising representatives of the National Economic Council (NEC), National Food Security Council and Federal Executive Council as well as the minister is to be inaugurated to oversee the delivery of the national livestock transformation programme.
The letter also made reference to the directive to suspend RUGA because “it is not in accordance with the designs approved by NEC, NFSC and FEC,” a development which has been described as temporary, with a foremost Northern leader, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, boasting in an interview that RUGA scheme “will be back.”
With this, it has become imperative for everyone to be vigilant and watch your environment carefully. Don’t believe what your Governor tells you. If you see strange construction of site, inquire to know what’s going on.
This is because suspension is not Cancellation. There are plans to rebrand, package RUGA in order for it to be accepted.
Be Vigilant!!
(Wisdom Nwedene is a seasoned investigative reporter, writer, freelancer. Contact : [email protected])
