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Senate Moves To Avert Nigeria, Cameroon Border Row
L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Managing Director, Harmony Abattoir Management services, Mr Moshood Bello, during Gov. Fashola’s inspection visit to Agege Abattoir in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN
The Senate yesterday directed its committee on states and local governments to liaise with the National Boundary Commission to investigate the United Nations’ decision to undertake boundary adjustment between Nigeria and Cameroon.
The upper chamber during plenary condemned in strong terms the attempt to cede part of Danare and Biajua communities of Boki Local Government Area to Cameroon based on “an imaginary projection of the Joint Technical Team and in disregard to subsection 12(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.”
The Senate therefore urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Bello Adoke, to ensure a more effective supervision of the boundary demarcation exercise to forestall the country being short-changed under any guise.
Moving the motion on the issue, the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, drew the attention of his colleagues to the recent activities of the Joint Technical Team, a sub body of the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission.
He said the team was mandated to carry out field work to trace, ascertain and reinforce the boundary points between the two countries.
He added that the team went to the villages of Danare and Biajua in Boki local government, Cross River State, aided by Nigerian soldiers to arbitrarily enforce demarcation of the boundary between the two countries.
He expressed concern that on two occasions, the exercise was attempted in the area, there was no representation from Cross River State in the United Nations team led by a Zimbabwean national, Mr. Paul Mbaya.
At the moment, he said Cameroonian security forces are guarding their border communities but there is no security presence on the Nigerian side.
Ndoma-Egba specifically drew the attention of the Senate to the October 10, 2002 adjustment exercise, and recalled that the International Court of Justice to which Nigeria had subjected itself gave judgment in the matter of the land and maritime dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon.
In its verdict, he added, the ICJ awarded ownership of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in spite of the strong historical, cultural and legal arguments put forward by Nigeria, a decision that has been trailed by much controversy till date.
According to Senator Ndoma-Egba, based on the ICJ ruling, the Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission was set up under the auspices of the United Nations to give effect to the judgment and carry out detailed demarcation of the boundary between the two countries from Lake Chad to the Atlantic Ocean.
He pointed further that the ICJ judgment did not provide for land demarcation in southern Nigeria but expressly ruled on the maritime boundaries, therefore the land demarcation exercise in Cross River State is contrary to the ICJ judgment.
The Senate leader observed that on one hand, while the borders between the two countries have been successfully demarcated in some sectors, particularly at Lake Chad and Bakassi sectors, the demarcation exercise is still ongoing in other sectors.
He added that the exercise was currently centered around the Danare-Biajua sector in Boki local government.
The lawmaker also said that since the ICJ judgment recognised the Anglo-German boundary of 1913 as the boundary between the two countries in the Danare-Biajua sector, the job of the Joint Techical Team in this sector would be to trace and locate the boundary pillars.
The pillars, he said, were identified as pillars 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 113A and 114 planted under the Anglo-German agreement a century ago in order to reinforce it.
He further expressed concern that while pillars 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 have been successfully traced with the cooperation of the villagers on both sides of the boundary.
The pillar 113A, he stated, falls between pillars 113 and 114 and which is critical in determining the boundary is yet to be located.
He said rather than explore the area to find pillar 113A following pointers from the villagers, the Joint Technical Team took a short cut approach and has gone ahead to chart a straight line projection between pillars 113 and 114 which it attempted to enforce using armed soldiers before they were prevented by the villagers.
The senate leader described as “hasty and insensitive”, the shortcut approach by the Joint Technical Team which failed to consider the justice of the matter, economic interest of the people, known traditional boundaries and communal affiliation.
This, he stressed, was a potential time bomb capable of generating confusion and crises in the area if not checked.
The Senate Leader was disturbed that the ceding of Bakassi brought and has continued to bring untold hardship to indigenes of the peninsula who had relocated to a land locked area and lost not only their ancestral homes but the primary means of livelihood.
The Deputy Senate leader, Senator Abdul Ningi, said, the ceding of Bakassi was still an illegitimate action because it has not been ratified by the National Assembly.
He said there was the need for the upper chamber to know whether the United Nations technical committee got approval from the federal government before embarking on the exercise.
He said, “If the technical team did not get clearance from the federal government before carrying out the measurement, has made the entire exercise an illegal.”
Senator Thompson Sekibo, suggested the invitation of the National Boundary Commission to guide the senate. Technical equipment should be used to find the missing pole.
He insisted that Nigerians would resist any attempt to shift any land to another country. In African, losing of land to another person is a sign of weakness.
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, suggested the setting up an ad hoc committee on the issue because the matter under consideration is technical and highly sensitive, hence the need for the senate to have facts.
Senate President, David Mark, proposed the need to get more facts from the senate committee supervising the boundary commission. He stressed the need to make decisions based on well informed facts.
The senate then asked the state and local governments committee as re-enforced, to determine the facts and report back in two weeks.
Mark said, “the matter is very serious, we need all the facts to enable us to take a decisive action on it.”
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo
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