The conflict
between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers over use of a grazing land reserve is a
major concern for the local community in Benue State. The Tiv people depend on
agriculture, while the Fulani are herdsmen. Unfortunately the tension over land
between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers has resulted in conflict that has led
to loss of lives, families internally displaced and properties destroyed. This
is a story of the Nigerian people but it is affecting the Missionary Oblates of
Mary Immaculate and their collaborators ministering in Nigeria. Fr. Cornelius Ali
NNAEMEKA explains the situation:
“The Nigerian
Oblate mission has always had contact with the poor with their many faces, but
the challenges raised by the recent ethnic clashes in Nigeria have brought us
into contact with yet another group of poor people. This new development caused
us to make a shift from our regular activities of helping our parishioners have
a decent life, access to clean water and quality education. In recent months, we
have had to face some new challenges. This deplorable situation calls us to do what
we can, by word and example, to rekindle the flame of faith and hope that seem
to be dying in the hearts of our brothers and sisters.
Oblate mission has always had contact with the poor with their many faces, but
the challenges raised by the recent ethnic clashes in Nigeria have brought us
into contact with yet another group of poor people. This new development caused
us to make a shift from our regular activities of helping our parishioners have
a decent life, access to clean water and quality education. In recent months, we
have had to face some new challenges. This deplorable situation calls us to do what
we can, by word and example, to rekindle the flame of faith and hope that seem
to be dying in the hearts of our brothers and sisters.
“The
above-mentioned problem first occurred in Benue State where we opened a new
Oblate mission late last year. It was due to a clash between some Fulani herdsmen
and Tiv farmers. Even though these two groups have lived well together for a
long period of time, they have developed a new hostile relationship that left
many Tiv farmers homeless. The problem is over planting and grazing lands. The
people ran away from their villages due to the violence. On arriving at the
city of Makurdi, they were stranded and having nowhere to go, they had to take
refuge in schools and other public buildings.
above-mentioned problem first occurred in Benue State where we opened a new
Oblate mission late last year. It was due to a clash between some Fulani herdsmen
and Tiv farmers. Even though these two groups have lived well together for a
long period of time, they have developed a new hostile relationship that left
many Tiv farmers homeless. The problem is over planting and grazing lands. The
people ran away from their villages due to the violence. On arriving at the
city of Makurdi, they were stranded and having nowhere to go, they had to take
refuge in schools and other public buildings.
“Those who took
refuge in our territory, Northern Bank, Makurdi, were almost abandoned to
themselves. But with the aid of parishioners from the Oblate parish, we provided
the few basic necessities we could afford. We built the only sanitary
facilities that the thousands of them could use. We provided in our own little
way for their food and other medical needs. And some of our parishioners took
care of educational needs.
refuge in our territory, Northern Bank, Makurdi, were almost abandoned to
themselves. But with the aid of parishioners from the Oblate parish, we provided
the few basic necessities we could afford. We built the only sanitary
facilities that the thousands of them could use. We provided in our own little
way for their food and other medical needs. And some of our parishioners took
care of educational needs.
“Our other
contact with these victims of ethnic clashes was in Jos. The Oblate parish in
Jos is made up of different ethnic groups. These people, in spite of some
conflict in living together, in recent decades had a healthy relationship until
some months ago. Because of a dispute over land ownership, two ethnic groups, the
Bace, known as the Rukubas, fought their neighbors, the Miangos. This conflict
displaced thousands of our parishioners. Many lost their relatives, their property
and their houses. In this conflict, we Oblates were the major actors, since
both groups were our parishioners. We also provided them with food, bedding and
some basic necessities according to our own capacity as a growing mission.
contact with these victims of ethnic clashes was in Jos. The Oblate parish in
Jos is made up of different ethnic groups. These people, in spite of some
conflict in living together, in recent decades had a healthy relationship until
some months ago. Because of a dispute over land ownership, two ethnic groups, the
Bace, known as the Rukubas, fought their neighbors, the Miangos. This conflict
displaced thousands of our parishioners. Many lost their relatives, their property
and their houses. In this conflict, we Oblates were the major actors, since
both groups were our parishioners. We also provided them with food, bedding and
some basic necessities according to our own capacity as a growing mission.
“This is our
recent challenge in a country where conflict seems to arise every now and then in
various places. Encouraged by the support of our brother Oblates and men and
women of goodwill, ‘We will labour and spare no effort with all the resources
at our command to covert these affected people to see the dignity of human life
and share land as their common good.’ This is our Mission. This is our Oblate
calling.” (This article was first published by Missionary Oblates’ JPIC Blog)
recent challenge in a country where conflict seems to arise every now and then in
various places. Encouraged by the support of our brother Oblates and men and
women of goodwill, ‘We will labour and spare no effort with all the resources
at our command to covert these affected people to see the dignity of human life
and share land as their common good.’ This is our Mission. This is our Oblate
calling.” (This article was first published by Missionary Oblates’ JPIC Blog)
”The truth might be hard to say, painful to bear or even drastic for the truth sayer but still needed to be said”. ALISON.
