Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
• Plans to build model schools for them
The Federal Government has acquired an Amplitude Modulation (AM) radio broadcast licence that would be used to reach out to herdsmen in different locations in Nigeria, as part of effort to end farmers/herders crisis across some states.
Government said they realised that radio is the choice means of news for herdsmen, hence, the need reach out to them through that means, with the message of peace, unity, tolerance and education.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who confirmed the acquisition of the licence in Abuja, on Tuesday, said the radio service would operate on frequency of 720KHz, and will be strictly in Fulani language.
He disclosed that plans are underway to secure funds for procurement and installation of requisite transmission equipment for the successful take-off of the radio station.
He said the radio services will, unarguably, serve as vehicle for social mobilisation and education, in addition to interactive radio instruction (IRI) methodology that would be ad- opted to reach the very hard to reach segment of our target population.
“Additionally, it will enhance our capacity to address crisis between herders and farmers with attendant consequences to loss of lives, destruction of productive assets, nomadic schools, facilities teaching and learning resources,” he said.
On his part, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Nomadic Education, Prof. Bashir Usman, explained that some veteran Hausa broadcasters have been contracted to develop programmes that would add impetus to the Com- mission’s effort towards mass education of the target group.
He was optimistic that it would help entrench peace build- ing, conflict management and resolution, with a view to promoting harmonious and peaceful co-existence between farmers and herders in the Nigeria.
He announced that no fewer than 617,518 pupils are currently enrolled in 3,582 various nomadic schools in Nigeria. This, he said, consists of 320,934 males and 296,584 females. It also includes the 202,050 pupils under early child care development education which also has 104,924 males and 97,126 females.
