Ilorin: Prof. Sidiqat Aderinoye-Abdulwahab of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin has generously donated a N1.5 million prize to reward the best male and female students of agriculture at the institution. This endowment was announced during the 289th Inaugural Lecture of the university, which she delivered.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Aderinoye-Abdulwahab shared that the donation was her way of giving back to society. The lecture, themed ‘Sustainable, Smart and Safe Pastoralism in Nigeria,’ served as the platform for her announcement. She pledged N750,000 annually for the next ten years to the top male graduating student in agriculture as a tribute to her husband for his unwavering support and dedication. Additionally, she allocated N750,000 to the best graduating female student in memory of Hajiya Fauziyah Ali, who played a pivotal role in guiding her towards achieving a PhD.
Aderinoye-Abdulwahab urged the Ministry of Livestock Development to promote safe pastoralism through education, conflict mediation units, and by formulating policies to improve grazing reserves and ranching. She highlighted the historical context of herding and grazing, referencing the ancient conflicts symbolized by Cain and Abel, which mirror today’s farmer-herder clashes driven by competition for resources.
The expert noted that migration is a fundamental aspect of pastoral life, often triggered by unliveable conditions or the pursuit of better economic outcomes. However, she cautioned that migration can pressure host community resources and create social disorganization, leading to conflicts. Aderinoye-Abdulwahab concluded by emphasizing the need for multifaceted solutions to address the complex challenges facing pastoralism in Nigeria, quoting scripture to underscore the value of cattle to human society.