The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says it will build the capacities of its vulnerable members who are losing out due to climate change.

The newly elected national president of MACBAN, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, in an interview, listed some of the effects of climate change affecting its members as environmental degradation, depleting grazing areas and water resources, rapid desertification, and forced migrations.

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma said the association would take advantage of initiatives signed during the Egypt COP27 Climate Change Conference.

“We will also try to address the issues related to grazing reserve development and modernisation of the livestock sub-sector.

“And by this, we will continue to urge the states and the federal government to come up with a settlement model that can suit the peculiarities of the pastoralists we have in this country,” he said.

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma said MACBAN was prepared to partner with local and international NGOs, as well as development partners, to strengthen its networks that constitute the backbone of the global initiative for a fairer grazing and access to opportunities by pastoralists.

“It is also our aspiration to fight against extortion, collusion, and blackmailing of our members by some of our renegade members and some sections of the security and the judiciary.

“This is in line with the zero-tolerance of these actions by the Federal Government and the leadership of the judiciary at all levels.

“To achieve this, we intend to establish a legal committee at the National and the States levels to address the issues,” he added.

Mr Othman-Nglezarma said now that the elections were over and a new leadership had emerged, other contestants and all members of the association should put all hands on deck to move the organisation forward.

“It is absolutely necessary for us to come together and forge a formidable team to address the peculiar crises facing pastoralists in the country,” he said.

Mr Othman-Ngelzarma also promised that the association would build its internal capacity to deliver, just as it would embark on some programmes to bolster its activities.

“They include the reorganisation of the association through stakeholders’ consultation and constitutional review., creation of new directorates.

“This is to enhance its capacity to pursue justice and educational inclusiveness of pastoralist youth, women, and children.

“We will also pursue support programmes for victims of insecurity, conflicts, climate change, and other disasters, strengthen the administrative and financial capacity of the association.”

(NAN)