Herders and Farmers Competition over Natural Resources and Its Impacts on Human Rights in Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2022
Pages:
107-119
Received:
27 September 2022
Accepted:
25 October 2022
Published:
4 November 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.jenr.20221104.11
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Abstract: The increasing undocumented migration of foreign Fulani herders into Nigeria through over 1,000 porous borders has brought about an influx of illegal foreign herders into the country. The super increase in the numbers foreign herders which came into the country with their numerous cattle automatically exacerbated competition between local farmers and increased herders over the same natural resources like pastures, water resources and land. This escalated violent conflicts between herders and indigenous farmers in Nigeria. This violent conflict has led to huge infringements of people’s Fundamental Human Rights to life, shelter, human dignity, and freedom of religion. Aside poor enforcement of relevant laws, competition over scarce natural resources, environmental and overpopulation issues, and ethno-religious and alleged Nigerian government complacency, have all been eluded as combined causations of this conflict and its human rights impacts. Most times, these herders fail to recognize and compensate the local farmers whose land and natural resources have been depleted due to their grazing activities. Instead, they attack them and infringe their fundamental right to life when these local farmers confront them. This paper is an attempt to intellectually investigate this crisis vis-a-vis its human rights impact as well as government policy and legislative approaches towards resolving the same. The paper adopts a qualitative and doctrinal research methodology. The objectives of this paper are; to establish a nexus between the poor implementation of the relevant extant laws and herders-farmers conflicts in Nigeria. Also, to understand how competition over scarce natural resources, environmental factors, ethno-religious reasons, and government lopsided approaches to the crisis have escalated the crisis and its consequent human rights violations. Also, the paper examines the nature of Nigerian border crossing issues and interrogates the nature and causes of the conflict including; environmental causes and alleged “fulanisation” and Jihadist agenda. The paper also x-rays the human rights implications of this endemic crisis. The paper conclusively makes recommendations for resolving the illegal herders’ border crossing, conflicts, and human rights issues discussed in the paper.
Abstract: The increasing undocumented migration of foreign Fulani herders into Nigeria through over 1,000 porous borders has brought about an influx of illegal foreign herders into the country. The super increase in the numbers foreign herders which came into the country with their numerous cattle automatically exacerbated competition between local farmers a...
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Briquetting of Aquatic Biomass Feedstock: An Untapped Ecological Potential as Alternative Source of Biofuel Energy for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration
Nsirim Lucky Edwin-Wosu,
Zinabari Confidence Dee-Ue
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, December 2022
Pages:
120-132
Received:
13 June 2022
Accepted:
12 July 2022
Published:
23 December 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.jenr.20221104.12
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Abstract: Background: Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms and Nypa fruticans Wurmb (invasive halophyte) are alien aquatic flora highly troublesome with a consequence of altering sea route navigation, displacing traditional indigenous mangal species and general loss of mangrove biodiversity and aquatic lives. Both species are highly prolific with endowed untapped renewable biomass resources. Aim: This study was aimed at biotransforming Eichhornia crassipes and Nypa fruticans biomass for briquette production, with the objectives of converting them to biochar as an approach to sustainable aquatic weed management. Method: Standard procedures of sample collection, processing by sun drying / oven drying, carbonization, and densification methods and data analyses by ANOVA were adopted. Result: Result has recorded a significant difference (P < 0.05) between species, with Nypa fruticans higher in Ignition time (Kg/s) (50.67 ± 3.06); fixed carbon (%) (47.20 ± 2.38); burning time (Kg/s) (7368 ± 2049.26); bulk density (g) 3.54x10-4 ± 6.6x10-6, specific heat of combustion (Kcal/kg) (3620.86 ± 113.71) and a non-significant shattering resistance (%) (91.63 ± 9.48). Eichhornia crassipes had a significant water boiling test (Cm2/s) of 2080±150.99; moisture content (%) (34.38 ± 2.21); burning rate (Kg/s) 4.00 x10-6 ± 17.0x10-6, volatile matter (%) (32.75 ± 1.00) and ash content (%) (38.66 ± 1.86). Conclusion: Therefore, based on the result Nypa palm biomass can be a better energy source of briquette and with the use of aquatic plants as alternative option for renewable energy source of briquette, both species may not only serve as medium of conserving our forest but also help in clearing the water ways and control pollution.
Abstract: Background: Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms and Nypa fruticans Wurmb (invasive halophyte) are alien aquatic flora highly troublesome with a consequence of altering sea route navigation, displacing traditional indigenous mangal species and general loss of mangrove biodiversity and aquatic lives. Both species are highly prolific with endowed untapp...
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