…Identifies Boundary Disputes As Bane Of Peace In Igboland

By Ikechukwu Odu

Enugu – A professor of Political Science at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Okechukwu, Richard Oji, Thursday, stated that arbitrary boundary demarcations during the colonial era led to the separation of many Igbo communities across different states and called for establishment of an Institute for Boundary Studies in ESUT

Prof. Oji 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 population of Igbo, who despite sharing ethnic and cultural identities are politically and administratively separated.

He made the remarks while delivering the 40th inaugural lecture of ESUT on the topic: ‘Politics of the Fence and Politics of the Bridge: Desiderata for Effective Boundary Management in Nigeria,’ at the permanent site of the University in Agbani, Enugu State.

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 Committee, NBC and the State Boundary Committees.

Prof Oji also made a case for the establishment of an Institute for Boundary Studies in ESUT even as he stressed the need for building bridges of tolerance, cooperation, co-existence and confidence among communities and groups in the South Eastern States.

While making his remarks, the Enugu State Governor, Barr Peter Mbah, represented by the Honorable 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.

Governor Mbah also called for adequate collaboration between the town and gown to foster sustainable socio-economic and technological development of the state.

While describing the lecture as timely, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, emphasized the need to address incessant boundary disputes which have resulted to loss of lives and properties in South East.

He noted that ESUT has commenced the Distinguished Personalities Lecture Series to engineer effective collaboration with the University community and the industries for sustainable development.

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 constant organisation of inaugural lectures and stimulation of research and innovation in the University.

While giving the vote-of-thanks, a professor of Neurosurgery, Chika Ndubuisi, who is billed to deliver the next ESUT inaugural lecture on December 12, 2024, called for the commercialisation of research endeavours in the University for societal benefits.