Change to Media and Management of Conflicts in Nigeria: A Case Study of Farmers-Herders Conflicts
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
The study aims to examine government strategies for addressing the farmers-herdsmen crisis. The specific objectives of the study were to;
- Find out the nature of the farmers and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria;
- Ascertain the various causes of the conflict as provided by both groups in the conflict;
- Assess the media’s role in addressing the farmers-herdsmen conflict in Nigeria; and
- Find out what gaps exist in media’s conflict management responses in the crisis
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Review
Arable Cropping System
According to Lambrou and Laub (2006), 75 per cent of today’s food comes from 12 arable crops and five animal species, with just three arable crops (rice, maize and wheat) accounting for about 60 per cent of the calories and proteins obtained from plants. Worldwide, arable crops enjoy remarkable dominance, playing significant roles in the socioeconomic lives of both rural and urban peoples (Lambrou and Laub 2006). Arable crops include a wide range of annual crops of primary importance such as maize, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, cowpea, wheat, soybeans, melon, groundnut yam, and vegetables and so on. In Nigeria, the production of arable crops is essentially the prominent feature of agricultural activities. Indeed, almost all farmers in Nigeria cultivate one or more arable crops for food and income.
According to Fayinka (2004), Nigerian agricultural production is dominated by rural-based small scale arable crop producers, who account for about 80% of total food requirement. In a study on production of some major arable crops in Nigeria, revealed that the average farm size in arable crop production was 4.58 ha.
Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, (2005) reported that 36.25 and 82.41 million hectares of arable crops were cultivated in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The CBN report further stated that production of arable crops increased from 88.3million tones in 2001 to 111.8 million tonnes in 2005. By far the most widely grown arable crop in Nigeria is maize, accounting for 6.6 and 7.5 million hectares in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Maize is grown almost in every part of the country. Most arable crop farmers rely on rainfall to produce, with farming activities normally beginning as soon as the onset of rains. Apart from being veritable sources of income for farmers; arable crops are processed into other useful items at industrial and household levels.
Cattle Herding System
Herdsmen are nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralist whose primary occupation is raising livestock for commercial purposes. In Nigeria, cattle herding is arguably dominated by the Fulani tribe. Iro (1994) and Abbass (2012) gave a vivid documentation of the herding system of the Fulani in Nigeria and found out that the optimum Fulani cattle herd size lies between 80 and 100. With a preponderance of female over male at ratio 4:1; the Fulani also maintains a balanced functional species composition of cow rearing that is made up of ‘beefers, milkers, breeders, carriers, and stock beautifiers’. Having raised livestock for centuries, the Fulani have evolved a herding system that withstands time, weather, social change, and government intervention (Okeke, 2014; Rashid, 2012).
Though most Fulani men herd cattle well pass the middle age, herding is dominated by youths, while decisions about grazing are mainly made by the elderly family members (Okoli and Atelhe, 2013). Tenuche and Ifetimehi (2006) however revealed that the Fulani herdsman makes excellent use of sign language, the cane and verbal command to drive the animals, with faster animals occupying the front rows. The movement of the Fulani over the years has led to a pastoral calendar in which the location and the grazing habits of the Fulani can be predicted (Iro, 1994). During migration, a typical herd consisting of several family units move in a column of up to five meters wide and two kilometres long (Odoh and Chigozie, 2012).
Odoh and Chigozie (2012) further observed that most Fulani herdsmen do not have their own grazing land for their livestock and so move from place to place in search of green areas. Describing the annual herding cycle of the Fulani, Iro (1994) as well as Enete and Amusa (2010) stated that the herding season begins with southward movement of the herd along rivers and stream valleys from October to December – marking the end of rainy season and beginning of dry season. January to February is the harmattan season that is characterized by longer grazing hours, herd splitting, and more frequent visits to stable water sources (Enete and Amusa, 2010). These thus increase southward movement of the herds. The months of March and April are usually the toughest for the herdsman and his cattle, as it is the hottest period in the grazing calendar. As such, the herdsmen now herd their cattle only in the evening and nights.
Furthermore, Odoh and Chigozie (2012) and Rashid (2012) opine that the month of May and June signifies the end of dry season which also marks the beginning of northward movement of cattle herds. From this period up till September, which is the peak of rainy season, though characterized by cattle-breeding, more milk production and shorter grazing hours, cattle herding coincides significantly with arable crop production. Farmer-herdsmen conflict therefore becomes prevalent during this period (Rashid, 2012).
CHAPTER THREE
CASES OF FARMERS AND HERDSMEN CLASHES IN NIGERIA
Introduction
The crisis between the farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria is one that has been characterized by violence which has led to loss of lives, properties and means of livelihood not only for the parties involved but also for members of the community in which the clashes took place. In a report recently released by Amnesty International, it was claimed that the farmers and herdsmen crises in Nigeria in the last three years had led to the death of 3,641 people and the displacement of thousands more (Amnesty International, 2018). This chapter would contain cases of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in various states of Nigeria as reported by newspapers and other sources. The states with the most prominent cases of clashes include Benue, Taraba and Plateau states.
Cases of Farmers and Herdsmen Clashes in Nigeria
The farmers and herdsmen crisis has led to a lot of clashes across the various states of Nigeria.
The case of clashes has reported by newspapers, articles and reports are enumerated below.
CHAPTER FOUR
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
The farmers-herdsmen conflict in Nigeria has grown spread and intensified over the past decade and today pose a threat to national survival. Thousands of people have been killed, communities have been destroyed and so many farmers and pastoralists have lost their lives and property in an extended orgy of killings and destruction that is not only continuously destroying livelihoods but also affecting national cohesion. This chapter covers the presentation of findings from secondary sources. Also, discussions are done centred around the objectives of this study which include; the nature of the farmers and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria, the identified causes of the farmers and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria, media role in addressing the farmers and herdsmen conflict in Nigeria and the gaps that exist in media responses to the conflict.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary
The study provides an in-depth analysis of the role of media in addressing the ongoing Farmers-Herders conflict in Nigeria, which has been a significant source of tension, violence, and displacement in the country. The conflict is primarily driven by competition for scarce resources such as land, water, and grazing rights, as well as political, economic, and environmental factors.
The study highlights the crucial role that media can play in promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving the conflict. The media has the power to shape public opinion, influence policy, and mobilize communities for peacebuilding initiatives. By engaging in responsible reporting, promoting peacebuilding initiatives, raising awareness, and mobilizing public support, the media can contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable peacebuilding process.
Responsible reporting is essential in promoting a balanced, accurate, and objective representation of the conflict. The media can play a critical role in providing context and background information to help the public understand the underlying causes and dynamics of the conflict. This is especially important in a highly polarized and politicized environment where the conflict is often portrayed in terms of ethnic, religious, and regional biases.
The media can also promote peacebuilding initiatives by highlighting successful examples of conflict resolution and by amplifying the voices of local communities, civil society organizations, and conflict resolution experts. The media can serve as a platform for dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation by facilitating constructive communication and building trust between different stakeholders.
Raising awareness and mobilizing public support is another crucial role that media can play in addressing the Farmers-Herders conflict. The media can help educate the public about the impact of the conflict on individuals, families, and communities, as well as on the wider society. By raising awareness, the media can mobilize public support for peacebuilding initiatives and help create a sense of urgency for resolving the conflict.
The media can also hold stakeholders accountable by reporting on their actions and policies and by exposing any violations of human rights, the rule of law, or democratic principles. By doing so, the media can help ensure that the peacebuilding process is transparent, participatory, and accountable to the public.
However, the study also identifies some gaps in the media’s response to the Farmers-Herders crisis. These gaps can limit the effectiveness of the media in promoting peaceful coexistence and resolving the conflict. These gaps include the lack of balanced reporting, limited coverage of underlying causes, neglect of community voices, limited diversity of sources, and the lack of follow-up and monitoring.
Addressing these gaps is essential for promoting a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable peacebuilding process. The media can bridge these gaps by engaging in balanced reporting, providing comprehensive coverage of underlying causes, amplifying community voices, diversifying sources, and engaging in follow-up and monitoring. By doing so, the media can contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable peacebuilding process.
Conclusion
the study highlights the critical role that media can play in addressing the ongoing Farmers-Herders conflict in Nigeria. By engaging in responsible reporting, promoting peacebuilding initiatives, raising awareness and mobilizing public support, and holding stakeholders accountable, the media can contribute to a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable peacebuilding process.
The study also identifies some gaps in the media’s response to the crisis, including the lack of balanced reporting, limited coverage of underlying causes, neglect of community voices, limited diversity of sources, and the lack of follow-up and monitoring. Addressing these gaps is essential for promoting a more informed, inclusive, and sustainable peacebuilding process.
Overall, the study emphasizes the need for the media to take an active role in promoting peace and addressing conflict in Nigeria. The media has the power to shape public opinion, influence policy, and mobilize communities for peacebuilding initiatives. By doing so, the media can contribute to a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Recommendation
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made:
Encouraging Responsible Reporting: Media organizations should prioritize responsible reporting by ensuring that their journalists adhere to professional standards of accuracy, fairness, and balance. This should include providing training to journalists and editors on conflict-sensitive reporting.
Providing Comprehensive Coverage: The media should provide comprehensive coverage of underlying causes, dynamics, and consequences of the conflict, including the perspectives of all affected parties. This will enable the public to have a deeper understanding of the conflict and the steps needed for resolution.
Amplifying Community Voices: Media organizations should give voice to local communities, civil society organizations, and conflict resolution experts who have a direct stake in the conflict. This will help to build trust and foster a sense of ownership of the peacebuilding process.
Diversifying Sources: The media should seek out a variety of sources, including those from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, to provide a balanced representation of the conflict. This will help to avoid stereotyping and promote a more nuanced understanding of the conflict.
Engaging in Follow-up and Monitoring: The media should engage in follow-up and monitoring of the peacebuilding process to hold stakeholders accountable and ensure transparency and inclusivity. This will enable the media to report on the progress made towards resolving the conflict and highlight any setbacks or violations of human rights.
Collaborating with Other Stakeholders: The media should collaborate with other stakeholders, including civil society organizations, religious leaders, and government agencies, to support peacebuilding initiatives. This will help to create a broader platform for dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion.
Ensuring Safety and Security: Media organizations should prioritize the safety and security of their journalists and staff, particularly in conflict-affected areas. This will enable them to report on the conflict without fear of reprisals and contribute to the peace-building process.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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- Akenzua, O. (2017, December 30). Three feared killed in fresh Delta herdsmen attacks. Retrieved February 3, 2019, from The Guardian: https://guardian.ng/news/three-feared-killed-in-fresh- delta-herdsmen-attacks/
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- Retrieved February 2, 2019, from kapital929: https://kapital929.fm/fulani-herdsmen-ekiti- many-attacks-attempted-solutions/
- Amnesty International. (2018). Harvest of Death: Three Years of Bloody Clashes Between Farmers and Herders. Nigeria.
