The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has urged relevant stakeholders in Cross River and Ebonyi to support ongoing efforts toward the demarcation of the interstate boundary.

The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, made the call in Abuja on Monday, at a joint meeting of officials of both states to address the lingering interstate boundary dispute.

Adaji explained that the meeting was convened to review the status of the boundary and discuss the way forward towards definition and delimitation of the boundary.

He said that the interstate boundary dispute between the states dates back several years ago.

He added that misunderstanding and crisis engulfs the border communities from time to time due to the land dispute and indigene settler dichotomy.

He blamed the persistent crises on the non-determination and demarcation of the interstate boundary, describing it as one of the volatile interstate boundaries in Nigeria with high risk of threat to peace.

“The crisis on the boundary necessitated the interventions of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his vice, Mr Atiku Abubakar at different times.

“The Federal Government was also compelled to draft military personnel to the sectors of the boundary in 2005 to maintain peace.

“The commission’s efforts over the years, had been to re-establish the boundary in accordance with available documents.

“These efforts resulted in the tracing and provisional demarcation of the boundary by a Joint Field Team (JFT) on the boundary between 2000 and 2004,” he said.

The DG said that the fieldwork produced two claim lines representing the positions of the states, adding that the NBC reviewed the states’ claim lines and proposed a boundary line but was rejected by both states.

He added that while Ebonyi accepted a segment of the proposed line, Cross River insisted that the boundary line must be in line with her claim.

He, however, said that the commission and the states’ subsequent efforts focused mainly on the restoration of peace to the warring communities of both states.

“Accordingly, the joint meetings of officials held in 2010, 2011 and 2013 resolved that peace committees be constituted at different levels to ensure the return of peace to the affected communities.

“This was to pave the way for further actions on the boundary, but sadly, the committees never functioned.

“The former Vice-President and Chairman of the National Boundary Commission, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, also intervened in February 2017 when he met with the Governors of the two States.

“Unfortunately, the scheduled follow-up activities could not be implemented due to non-cooperation of the two States.

“In the wake of the unfortunate Ukelle/Izzi crisis of June 2018, the National Boundary Commission and the two states took prompt action by visiting the communities affected and agreed on actions to be taken,” he said.

Adaji further said that the governors of the two states met in 2018, adding that a Joint Technical Committee of Experts equally met and resolved to pave the way for the return of peace to the affected communities.

“It is on this note that I welcome you once more to the meeting and appeal that we focus on the imperative of peace among the people.

“I urge us all to discuss all the issues with every sense of commitment to supporting the commission’s effort towards the demarcation of the boundary,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Peter Odey, Deputy Governor of Cross River, and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, acknowledged the impasse on the boundary dispute between the states.

Odey expressed the readiness of the state to support ongoing efforts to bring the lingering dispute to a logical conclusion.

Similarly, Mrs Patricia Obila, Deputy Governor of Ebonyi, and Chairperson of the state Boundary Committee, commended NBC for the efforts to address the dispute.

Obila pledged the support of the Ebonyi government towards putting an end to the fracas among the states’ neighbouring communities. (NAN)

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has directed the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to release investigative reports on Flight NUA0504 within 10 days.

Keyamo said this on Monday in Abuja during a meeting he held with the leadership of the ministry and Heads of Agencies under the ministry.

United Nigeria Flight NUA0504, operating from MM2 in Lagos en route Abuja on Sunday was temporarily diverted  to the Asaba International Airport, Delta.

Keyamo further told NSIB to deepen efforts to produce its investigative reports on other incidents that happened within the last two weeks.

According to him, the ministry is taking every step to ensure the safety of lives of Nigerians who decide to travel by air.

” For the incidents that happened recently in the country, some are classified as minor, and some serious incidents. But, we did have any fatality.

” However, we have some preliminary steps and precautions steps that we are taking as a ministry and the regulators.

” Because of the incident that happened yesterday, where a flight to Abuja ended up in Asaba. They must have their reports within ten days of what really transpired,” he said.

According to him, the transcript from the tower of Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) indicated that the pilot took off from Lagos headed to Asaba not Abuja.

” There was no weather problem yesterday, NiMet’s DG is here. It was a question of wet lease plane. Pilots and the Cabin crew were foreigners.

” They were not familiar with the Nigerian terrain. So, it was purely an issue of in-house administrative issues.

” We have agreed, from now, any wet lease coming into Nigeria must have a Nigerian pilot and Nigerians as its Cabin crew,” he said.

The minister directed the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) to hold a crucial briefing with all Pilots and Cabin crew of wet lease in Nigeria within 72 hours.

He said he had also ordered NCAA boss to see how law could be enforced whereby passengers get some benefits from the Airlines  when there was flight delays or cancellations. (NAN)

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris says, the Federal Government is committed to support Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in its quest to upgrade its facilities to global industry standards.

Idris made the commitment at the opening ceremony of the NTA management Conference sand Retreat on Monday in Abuja.

The Conference with the theme “Managing a Television Station in a Competitive Environment’’ is organised by the NTA for its management staff across the country.

According to him, the support is to place the NTA in a position to compete with the best in the world.

“The role of the NTA in shaping public opinion, disseminating information, and fostering national unity cannot be overstretched.

“In an era where information has become ever more potent, your responsibility is profound, and the impact of your work is felt across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond.

“In this regard, I want to express my gratitude to every one of you for your unwavering dedication to the service of our great nation.

“ However, the recent procurement of industry-standard high-resolution Cameras and portable live-streaming TVU packs, among others, have significantly enhanced NTA’s ability to respond to breaking news even in very remote areas.

“The government will support the NTA in its quest to upgrade its facilities to global industry standards to put it in a position to compete with the best in the world,’’ he said.

He explained that as they embark on the retreat, it is crucial to reflect on the dynamic landscape of the media industry, adding that the advent of new technologies and changing viewer preferences pose challenges and opportunities.

“Our commitment to excellence and adaptability is paramount. The NTA must continue to evolve, embracing innovation while upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity’’.

The Minister urged each member of the NTA management team to actively engage in the talks and workshops planned for the retreat.

According to him, this is an invaluable opportunity to share insights, explore innovative strategies, and collectively chart a course for the NTA’s future.

He stressed that, collaboration and synergy among departments are essential to enhancing overall effectiveness.

The Minister explained that the retreat is coming at a time when there is a growing number of options for the viewing public to source information from.

“More especially against the backdrop of the dominant role of social media and the preponderance of false and misleading information therein; therefore, the significance of an event of this nature cannot be overemphasized.

“The challenge before you, although daunting, is not insurmountable.

“I challenge this gathering to come out with practical and innovative ways of reaching the populace with messages of hope in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

“I am persuaded by the quality of the professionals in this auditorium that this task is achievable.

“Already, the signal upgrade of the Authority from standard definition to high definition is having an appreciable impact on the viewing experience of members of the public.

“This has to be replicated in all NTA Stations across the country to achieve the desired objective,’’ Idris said.

The Minister also restated Federal Government’s commitment to the Digital Switch Over (DSO) Project, adding that his Ministry is working assiduously for a DSO blueprint that will not fail.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of NTA, Mr Sahilu Dembos commended that Minister and appreciated the support given to the station so far.

According to him, this is the first time a Minister is attending the management retreat of NTA.

“The theme of the conference encapsulates the profound challenges and formative opportunities inherent in the temporary media landscape.

“Regardless the challenges in the industry, the NTA stand resolute in its commitment to delivering content, not only to inform and entertain but to also reflect the diversity of our nation.

“This conference serve as an important point of collective examination, strategic thinking and cultivation of measures and ideas that will position us as the vanguard of broadcasting excellency,’’ Dembos said. (NAN)