Fulaku Day: Fulani Group Commends Gov Kefas For Improved Security

The Taraba State chapter of the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO) joined other chapters in marking the International Day of Pulaku.


The event took place at the conference hall of the Muslim Council in Jalingo and included a morning public lecture and an evening cultural display at Afolahan Square Jalingo.


The event was supported by the AYNI Fund of FEMI as part of FUDECO's pastoralist women's economic empowerment project.


The inaugural edition of the National Day of Pulaku aimed to promote the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by the United Nations in 2007.


During the event, Dr. Abubakar Girei, a senior lecturer in the Department of Languages and Linguistics at the University of Maiduguri, emphasized the importance of Fulani communities returning to their original value system and culture.


He urged them to embrace both religious and Western education to remain relevant and maintain their dignity and pride.


He noted that Education, Agriculture, and Keeping livestock have remained the occupation of the Fulani for centuries, saying that these could be improved to tally with modern techniques.


Dr. Abubakar Girei who was the Chairman of the occasion, also commended FUDECO for their initiatives and encouraged them to do more to enhance the culture and value system of the Fulbe.


Hajiya Aisha Bashir Ardo, the State Chairperson of FUDECO, highlighted the significance of the event, which aimed to promote Fulbe cultural heritage, unity, and peaceful coexistence among the diverse Fulbe and their neighbors.


She emphasized the rights of Indigenous People to make meaningful decisions and expressed the cultural appreciation of the event.


Additionally, she called on community members, leaders, and the state government to see diversity as an opportunity for growth and development.

"At this juncture, I will call on our peace-loving Governor in the person of Dr. Agbu Kefas, who has demonstrated a capacity for fairness and inclusion, love for peace, and peaceful co-existence to permit me to express our gratitude for improving the security situation of the state. Today, we are able to reap its benefits by organizing the Pulaaku Day celebration," Ardo appreciates.

Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Kabri, a retired Director from the Taraba State Primary Education Board, stressed the need for unity among all Fulani clans to achieve development goals.

He emphasized the need for the Fulani to embrace change and modern trends to be accommodated in current events.

Alhaji Kabri called on stakeholders to contribute to improving the lives of pastoralists, education for their children, and reducing wandering.

Engr. Ahmed Yusuf, a Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, emphasized the need for all hands to be on deck to change the narrative on how the Fulani are viewed.

He expressed concern over attempts to segregate the Fulani from their neighbors, particularly in the North West region, which he deemed unacceptable.

According to him, Fulani can compete with any nationality across the globe, considering their status in all fields of life.

Barrister Bashir Bape, a former member representing the Nguroje Constituency at the Taraba State House of Assembly, also presented a paper at the occasion.


Notable among the dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Galadiman Muri and District Head of Jalingo, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, the Sintalin Muri, Alhaji Sa'adu Usman Sambo, and the General Manager of NTA Jalingo, Hajiya Nihad Isa Umar among many others.