By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Fulani Youth Initiative for Development, in collaboration with the Fulani Youths Sai Bago Again Orga...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Fulani Youth Initiative for Development, in collaboration with the Fulani Youths Sai Bago Again Organisation, has launched a campaign aimed at sensitizing herders on the importance of possessing voter identification cards.
Speaking during the campaign, the Secretary of the group, Comrade Sulaiman Ruga, emphasised that with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) setting dates for the commencement of voter card renewal and registration, it is the responsibility of non-governmental organizations to step in and raise awareness, especially among underserved communities such as nomadic herders.
He stated that the group began the campaign in remote local government areas and has now expanded into Bargu and Mokwa local government areas, where a significant Fulani population resides. Part of their strategy, he explained, includes engaging Fulani leaders and community heads to help drive the message home and encourage broader participation.
According to him, many Fulani people, particularly those living in forested or rural areas, do not possess voter cards and are often unaware of their importance, both during and after elections. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation received so far and stressed the group’s commitment to continuing the campaign across the state.
One of the community leaders, Sarkin Maganin Arewa, Ambassador Dr. Abubakar Aliyu of Bargu Local Government Area, commended the group’s efforts. He described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that the plans presented by the youth organizations offer tangible benefits for the Fulani community. He lamented that no government or group had ever organized such a campaign for them, and expressed disappointment that some individuals in government positions exploit the community without providing any real benefit in return. He pledged his full support for the campaign.
Similarly, Sarkin Fulani Dangi of Mokwa Local Government Area highlighted that while many herders understand the significance of voter ID cards during elections, they are largely unaware of their relevance beyond the electoral process. He praised the youth organizations for their proactive engagement, noting previous efforts by the group, including providing computer science training and scholarships for Fulani children. He assured that the community would mobilize its members, even those in remote settlements, to participate in the voter registration process, and called for collaboration with INEC during the actual registration exercise.
Comrade Ruga concluded by noting that after Bargu and Mokwa, the campaign would move to Wushishi, Agwara, and Rijau in the northern part of Niger State, before heading to Suleja, Tafa, and Gurara local government areas later in the week. He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continually raise awareness among herders on the importance of participating in governance and benefiting from government policies through informed civic engagement.
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