Director General of National Border Commission, NBC Surv. Adamu Adaji has said the partitioning of Africa has adversely affected the pre-existing historical, socio-cultural and economic relationship existing between the people.
He disclosed this when experts on Cross Border Cooperation from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin held a two day Consultative Forum to brainstorm on the best strategies to step up rapid development between both countries.
Adaji speaking during the opening ceremony of the event said that it was the consensus desire of the participants to promote cordial relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic in line with the policy thrust of Cross Border Cooperation which seeks to promote and strengthen good neighborliness between Border communities, territorial communities and administrations or other relevant actors of two or more States.
Adaji averred that “the Cross border Cooperation initiative is one of the components of the African Union Border Programme designed to break the barrier effects of the colonially inherited borders that has been a source of dispute between African countries”.
The Cross border initiative he added will help to address the challenges associated with the colonial borders and also serve as a vehicle for promoting the integration of the African Continent.
“The challenges of insecurity along our borders have made it imperative for African countries to yearn for economic Cooperation and integration for the rapid economic transformation of our Continent”
“It would be recalled that the colonial imperialists partitioning African homogeneous communities without recourse to the pre-existing historical, socio-cultural and economic relationship existing between the people.
Adaji noted that this has adversely affected communities who were hitherto united as kith and kin.
He said that aside from the peculiarities of the colonially imposed boundaries, that African countries are equally grappling the effects of globalization which he stated was breaking the barriers of the national borders.
He urged African countries to resolve their border differences and seek closer contacts and cooperation in order to increase opportunities for trade and development as well as form stronger alliance that is capable of mitigating the negative influence of globalization.
The Director-General gave the assurances that the Government of Nigeria will continue to work assiduously with the government of the Republic of Benin to conclude all outstanding works leading to the clear definition and demarcation of the common boundary to pave way for healthy collaboration in the execution of the joint programmes that will enhance the quality of lives of the border dwellers.
On his part, the Director-General of the Benin Integrated Border Management Agency, Dr. Marcel Balgo noted that both countries shared same values and socio-cultural inheritance and have always lived in harmony with one another.
He however lamented that some people have misconstrued the concept of boundary demarcation as division lines between people that share common inheritance and values.
The Representative of the Minister of Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Amb. Auwalu Namadina pledged the country’s commitment to closely work with the Beninese government to further strengthen the already existing cordial relationship between the two countries.
In his remarks, Representative of the German International Corporation (GIZ) ECOWAS Manager, Dr. Bakary Sanou said that the GIZ will support the cause of African unity especially in Transborder cooperation.
Seven years ago, African Ministers responsible for Border management met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and resolved to address the problem of insecurity facing the African Continent they unanimously agreed that peaceful cooperation was a necessary panacea to economic development in the Continent.