A Professor of Political Science at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Okechukwu Richard Oji, has underscored the need for dialogue in resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo people of the South-East region.
The university don, who acknowledged that boundary disputes have become an inevitable part of human history, lamented that arbitrary boundary demarcations during the colonial era had led to the separation of many Igbo communities across different states.
Prof Oji made the remarks, weekend, while delivering the 40th inaugural lecture of the university on the topic: ‘Politics of the Fence and Politics of the Bridge: Desiderata for Effective Boundary Management in Nigeria,’ at the ESUT permanent site, Agbani.
He said that some states such as Kogi, Benue, Delta, Edo, Rivers and Cross River, which are outside the core states in South East Nigeria, contain significant Igbo population, who despite sharing ethnic and cultural identities, are politically and administratively separated.
He further said that the divisions have weakened the political strength of the Igbo, even as those cut out from their Igbo relatives continue to suffer political and other forms of marginalization at their place of abode, adding that the separation had further contributed to disunity within the South East region.
“The Igbo people, historically one of Nigeria’s most cohesive ethnic groups, now face internal divisions driven by boundary disputes and political competition.
“As a result, boundary disputes in the South East not only destabilize the region but also disintegrate the unity of Igbo nation across Nigeria,” he stated.
While emphasizing the need for peace building efforts in boundary disputes, he lauded the contributions of traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, youth and women groups , civil society organizations among others in peace building processes.
He equally urged individuals and groups to be bridge builders in order to entrench peace in their communities.
He charged governments at all levels to create an environment which enables sustainable development, justice and peace, and to also fund government agencies responsible for effective management of boundaries such as the National Boundary Commission and the State Boundary Commissions.
Prof Oji, who made a case for the establishment of an Institute for Boundary Studies in ESUT, stressed the need for building bridges of tolerance, cooperation, co-existence and confidence among communities and groups in the South Eastern States.
He identified alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as the most effective method of boundary disputes management.
He further frowned against the use of violence to settle boundary disputes by communities, stressing that violence and other forms of brutality would not only escalate tension and create an atmosphere of chaos and anarchy, but would never bring a lasting solution to disagreement.
While making his remarks, Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, stated that the topic of the inaugural lecture was in tandem with Enugu State Government’s Experiential learning trajectory, urging scholars to use their knowledge to address societal problems.
Mbah, who commanded Oji over the impactful lecture, said the administration would consider the far-reaching suggestions made by him and put them into use as a way of addressing perennial boundary challenges.
He also called for adequate collaboration among stakeholders to foster sustainable socio-economic and technological development of the state.
Describing the lecture as timely, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, emphasized the need to address incessant boundary disputes which had resulted in loss of lives and properties in the South East region.
Also, in his remarks, the Chairman of the ESUT Inaugural Lectures Committee, Prof. Milletus Ezeamaenyi, commended the university management for improving the visibility of the institution through sustained organisation of inaugural lectures and stimulation of research and innovation in the university.
Boundary disputes can be settled without bloodshed – Varsity don, Oji