News

Peaceful Co-Existence Between Nigeria Neighbors Our Priority-DG National Boundary Commission

Published

3 years ago

December 21, 2023

The Gleamer

…As FG Constructs 739 Intermediate Pillars On Nigeria -Niger Boundary

… Resolves 15 interstate boundary disputes

Joel Ajayi

The National Boundary Commission has revealed that the promotion of peaceful co-existence between Nigeria and her proximate neighbors as well as cross-border cooperation and regional integration remain the priority of the commission.

To this end, NBC said that 739 intermediate pillars have been constructed so far along the Nigeria-Niger boundary as it resolves 15 interstate boundary disputes in 2023

The Director General of the National Boundary Commission Adamu Adaji stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, during a Press Briefing/Media Parley to mark the end of the year, where he highlighted huge achievements record in the outgoing year.

According to him, the modest achievements of the year 2023 were however achieved notwithstanding challenges that included uncooperative attitudes of some border communities, lack of proper sensitization, misconception of the essence of boundaries, negative influences of elites, limited resources.”

“Our business is the management of Nigeria’s boundaries that include the internal boundaries between communities, between the local government areas, and between the states and the FCT.

“Our works also include the international land and maritime boundaries of Nigeria with our proximate neighbors.

“Our strategy concerning the internal boundaries is focused on dispute prevention, dispute resolution, boundary definition, and trans-border relation maintenance.

“These we pursue vigorously through searches for delimitation records, joint meetings of the states and the Commission officials, joint field investigations, physical tracing, and provisional demarcation on the ground.”

While highlighting the success recorded in 2023, the Director General said: The Commission, conducted field investigations and demarcation of seven interstate boundaries, including boundaries of the Federal Capital Territory with its neighbors.

“NBC provided some infrastructural facilities, such as market stalls and motorized boreholes along corridors of some interstate boundaries to promote trans-border cooperation and integration for peaceful coexistence.

“Also, a total of 2,214 pillars have so far been placed along the boundary in a series of contracts awarded as Lots with the last one concluded in 2022 as Lot 7.

“The commission conducted a sensitization campaign along the Borno State Sector, preparatory to the execution of Lot 8 contract expected to commence in February 2024.”

“So, far, a total of 128 main pillars out of the 148 inherited pillars have been reconstructed along the axis.”

Another achievement in the outgoing year, according to the DG, is the deposition of the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Also, the Disputes Resolution Commission achieved significant results in resolving 15 interstate boundary disputes in 2023.

The commission equally constructed 739 Intermediate Pillars On Nigeria -Niger Boundary.

He identified some of the challenges as the uncooperative attitudes of some border communities, lack of proper sensitization, misconception of the essence of boundaries, negative influences of elites, and limited resources, among others.

However, DG thanked the media for their positive reportage of the commission and urged them to disseminate information that encourages unity in border communities and boundary matters: “We will continue to engage the media as one of our major stakeholders and seek your cooperation for accuracy in your reportage.”

Share on Facebook

News

Musawa Seeks Broader Significance for June 12

Published

11 hours ago

October 3, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., says June 12 must be remembered as a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy, beyond its status as a public holiday.

In a statement signed on Saturday by the Senior Assistant Media & Publicity to the Honourable Minister,Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy Dr Nneka Ikem Anibeze Ph.D in Abuja.

Musawa stated this at the national premiere of “MKO”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday, but the film turns it back into memory.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for. This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” the Minister said.

Musawa hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Host, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and paying the price in exile, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry will keep telling the story of its democracy with courage.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the director of the investigative documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film was in honour and memory of heroes who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy.

“There was a great man called Bashorun MKO Abiola and there is now another great man called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Democrats. Nationalists. Nation builders. Leaders of men and women. We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan said.

Top government officials including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the wife of the President Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chief of Staff to the President Rt. Femi Gbajabiamila, state Governors, members of the National Assembly, Ministers and other distinguished dignitaries attended the premiere.

Share on Facebook