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Zubairu Matthew is an example of the real testimonial of the pact of social cohesion. Matthew's notoriety extended beyond his own community. In Osara community, no one dared him. He was 'ruthlessly stubborn' as described by one Haruna Nanah,who has known him from childhood. Although he wasn't physically abusive, he was rude, and he had influence among young people who followed his steps. Matthew was said to be brash and disrespectful and feared in the community.
The community has a large youth population; most of the young people here do not have employable skills, most have not been to secondary school; hence are faced with lack of options and equal opportunities to thrive. So, they become vulnerable and exposed to acts of thuggery and criminality.
But his story has not been all about his hard to bend stance and his notoriety in the community, he has also had a fair share of rejection from family and friends which has toughened him. He has watched a friend attacked and murdered in his presence by the violent herdsmen.
That experience never leaves him; it perhaps contributed to his anger with the world around him. "I watched the murder of one of my best friends - Mumuni, he was quiet and not troublesome. He was just trying to settle an altercation between a woman and the herdsmen, the woman was complaining of how the herds of cattle destroyed her crops. It was going to be a violent exchange as the herdsman vowed to beat her up, as Mumuni tried to settle the dispute, he was brutally attacked and left to die" he said with a misty eye.
"For some time now, I have observed that he has become calm ... " Matthew chuckles as his friend spoke of him; he buried his face as he scribbles with the sand. No one feels at ease when his past is talked about. "I thought that it is his involvement in religion that has finally calmed him but I realised that it is his participation with ActionAid that has influenced his new behaviour .... I am learning from him and I am thinking
of also participating in the programmes of ActionAid. His ways of life now influence me, he has helped me to build trust in people, he has helped me cooperate with others in the community, he is like a pastor to me now" Sanni said.