Kogi Disposed to Peace with Anambra - Wada

The Kogi State Government says it is disposed to suggestions that will help determine the boundaries and lingering crisis between the State and its Anambra State neighbors’.

Capt Idris Wada, the State Governor stated this when he received the Director General of the National Boundary Commission and his team who were in the State for an advocacy visit.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the visit of the advocacy team would have far reaching consequences in resolving the boundary dispute between the Kogi State and Anambra State.

Capt Wada assured that the State will continue to preach peace to its citizens living around the disputed boundaries, disclosed that Kogi State is ready for the final boundary demarcation of the disputed lines.

The Governor said Kogi people have accepted the Olive branch of peace, from their Anambra counterparts, said the State is prepared to embrace ideas and suggestions that will lead to the boundary demarcation of the disputed boundary.

Capt Wada described the time as most auspicious for the NBC to carry out the demarcation, equally urged the commission to put a closer look on the boundary issue between Ette community in the State and their counterparts in Enugu State.

The Governor equally asked the commission to put in place a mechanism to help resolve the boundary disputes between Kogi and Okpella in Edo State, and those between it and Ondo State.

Capt Idris Wada, commended the NBC for its interest in resolving boundary issue relating to the State, assured that the State will put in place all necessary mechanism to ensure that the people are well prepared and to allow for a peaceful demarcation exercise ahead of the June 13, 2015 date.

Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Mohammed Bose Ahmed, Director General of the National Boundary Commission, said they were in the State on an advocacy visit and to meet with stakeholders on the need to give peace a chance in the planned demarcation of the Kogi/Anambra boundary coming up in the later part of next month.

While noting that the commission is concerned with resolving all issues regarding the Kogi/Anambra boundary dispute, he noted that recent boundary demarcation exercise to determine the tripartite point had proved difficult.

The Director General of the National Boundary Commission, said the need for the advocacy and interactive session with the relevant stakeholders is to prepare their mind ahead a sensitization exercise that would be carried out simultaneously in the affected communities of Kogi and Anambra, on June 19 before the final exercise to determine the last turning points at Ibaji which is expected to begin from Idah sometime this year.

Other speakers at the meeting include HRH, John Egwemi, Ejeh Ibaji and other speakers from Ibaji L.G.A, all assured the commission of their resolve to allow for a peaceful exercise, urged the NBC to ensure that the disputed turning points are located on the tripartite points for an acceptable boundary resolution.

The meeting which later went into close door had the Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Pharm Yunusa Nasiru and the Special Adviser on Security Matter, Commodore Mathis Abdullahi in attendance.