A Fulani leader, Alhaju Abdulkadir Salihu, has appealed to the Federal Government to create more grazing reserves across the country to curb the incessant clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

Salihu made this known on Monday when he received members of the 2014 Press Week Committee of the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The Fulani leader, who is also the National President, Jamu Nati Fulbe Association of Nigeria, said the perceived neglect of Fulani pastoralists had widened the gap between them.

Salihu said that the appeal was necessitated by the need to reduce the danger posed by the conflict between the two as well as economic losses.

He said the clashes could have been averted if government had listened to the several passionate appeals made to it on the establishment of grazing reserves.

The Fulani leader said that his association had been championing the cause and protecting the interest of members.

Salihu said this was done by creating branches in many parts of the country to integrate all Fulanis, adding that Ekiti and Kogi were yet to get branches.

He told the team that the association had become a training avenue for the youth, and urged government to recognise the Fulani pastoralists because of their contributions to the nation’s economic growth.

He, however, said that the association was working relentlessly to incorporate some Fulani bororos, whom he said, had remained dissenters in their activities.

"I want to say that this association has brought peace and maintained cordiality with the people across the country.

"We meet with farmers both the subsistence and commercial ones on the need to live in peace. That is why our association serves as training ground for the youth among us.

"We have established branches across the country except Ekiti and Kogi which we are working on.

"Government should establish more grazing reserves because we don’t want our cattle to be encroaching on farmlands," he said

Salihu appealed to the Oyo State Government to provide them with water, hospitals and other social infrastructure that would make life more meaningful for their members.

He appealed to members to work collectively and shun any act that could truncate the peace of their respective settlements.

Earlier, the NUJ Chairman in Kwara, Mr Abiodun Abdulkareem, commended Salihu for his contribution to peace building in Oyo.

Abdulkareem said that the Press Week was designed to honour people with integrity and impeccable character, adding that the union did not compromise standard in its choices.  (NAN)