News
Peaceful Co-Existence Between Nigeria Neighbors Our Priority-DG National Boundary Commission
…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.”
Foreign news
NTAC Hails Tinubu; Volunteers Ready to Positively Impact Nigerians
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for funding the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme.
The Director General (DG) of NTAC , Dr Yusuf Yakub, made the commendation during a ceremony to receive five returning TAC volunteers from Zanzibar, Tanzania on Tuesday in Abuja.
The returning volunteers also expressed readiness to impact knowledge gained from participating in the programme on Nigerians.
TAC is a mechanism for Nigeria’s foreign aid and technical assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through the use of Nigeria’s abundant trained manpower.
Yakub lauded Tinubu’s visionary leadership and steadfast support for the TAC Scheme.
Welcoming the volunteers who had discharged themselves as worthy ambassadors in Zanzibar, the D-G thanked them for their patriotism, dedication to service and for making Nigeria proud on the international arena.
The NTAC boss highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, while announcing that certificates of completion will be presented to the volunteers in line with the noble objectives of the service.
He also emphasised the volunteers’ crucial role in passing on the skills and experiences gained in Zanzibar.
He expressed optimism that their efforts would positively impact the lives of Nigerians across the country and shape the expectations and service-delivery of future prospective volunteers.
Earlier speaking, Amb. Zakari Usman, the Director of Programmes for NTAC, expressed gratitude to the D-G for his unwavering support and provision for the volunteers throughout their service period.
He said that the volunteers had so delivered on the mandate of the agency that citizens of Zanzibar did not want them to leave their country.
Popoola Adegoke, the Team Lead and a Mathematics Instructor for the batch of returning volunteers, was full of gratitude to the Federal Government for providing them the opportunity to participate in the scheme.
Adegoke said that Nigeria, was well blessed and had the abundance of both human and natural resources to contribute meaningfully to the development of many countries of the world.
He said that the need to continue the TAC Scheme was not negotiable, owing to its high impact and results.
Mohammed Salisu, a Physicist, said that the experience had broadened his horizon as his orientation during the last 24 months in Zanzibar, especially on the cultural exchange.
He lauded the government for the scheme, saying that Nigeria is seen and perceived to be higher in all ranking, especially in the standard of living and educational system.
He also appealed to the government to sustain the scheme to close the gaps both the educational and professional systems in the African, Caribbean and the Pacific Countries.
NAN
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