Home FEATURES Osinbajo Advocates Re-Engineering Of Nigeria’s Border Policies

Osinbajo Advocates Re-Engineering Of Nigeria’s Border Policies

Nigeria’s Vice-President , Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has advocated the re-engineering of the Nigeria’s border policies in view of the challenges the country face as a result of the wide and borders.

“It is time to rethink and re-engineer our border policies. This is the paramount responsibility of the commission and we trust that you will deliver.”

The Vice President, who spoke today, Monday, in Abuja, at the National Boundary Commission (NBC) retreat on border management, said that the country has over 4,000 kilometers of external borders, including its Atlantic coastline.

This, he said, is in addition to the thousands of kilometers of borders that the 36 States and the FCT share with one another.

“What happens along these borders greatly affect what happens within them. All you need is a cursory look at the daily news headlines to realize just how much of the issues they embody are determined by activities taking place at or across our land and maritime borders and boundaries; whether it is the smuggling or illegal oil bunkering, or the impact of undocumented migration on the security situation in the North Central, or communal clashes arising from boundary disputes.”
Professor Osinbajo said that The National Boundary Commission is responsible, according to the Act that established it, for defining and delimiting Nigeria’s internal and external boundaries, resolving disputes, promoting trans-boundary cooperation and coordinating all activities on our international boundaries.
“This means that the Commission has a very important role to play in mobilizing and coordinating various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, sub-national governments, foreign governments, bilateral and multilateral organizations, and others, to collectively deal with any and all boundary issues.”
he gave assurance that  the Federal Government fully recognizes the significance of the National Boundary Commission’s role, adding that as part of efforts to strengthen the Commission and reposition it to more effectively fulfill its responsibilities; President Buhari has approved the appointment of six distinguished Nigerians as members of the Board.
The six appointed members, representing the six geo-political zones of the country, Osinbajo added, will work hand in hand with the ex-officio members of the Commission’s Board – Ministers, State Governors, Security Chiefs – as well as the management and staff of the Commission.
The Vice President stressed the importance of members working harmoniously, not only among themselves as a Commission, but also with all external stakeholders.

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“As a Commission whose mandate includes ensuring harmonious border relations, charity has to begin at home.”