Nigeria – A former member of the House of Representatives and Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Hon. Kayode Oladele has commended the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi and an international border expert, Emeritus Professor Anthony Asiwaju on the introduction of a Bill for the establishment of the National Institute for Border Studies in Imeko, Ogun State.
The Bill which passed its first reading earlier this week is aimed at providing for teaching, research, instruction and training of students in border management and for other related matters including but not limited to migration, refugee, trans-border security and other areas of governance, social sciences, arts and humanities.
Oladele, an international human rights lawyer, while calling on the Federal government to support the Bill by seeing to the establishment of the Institute, stated that the Institute is very important to the country at this crucial time because protecting the county’s international borders from the illegal movement of weapons, terrorism, drugs, contraband, and people, while promoting lawful trade and travel all of which are parts of the objectives of the Institute is essential to Nigeria’s security, economic prosperity, and sovereignty.
According to the former Chairman House Committee on Financial Crimes, Nigeria is currently confronted with myriads of threats at its borders and the establishment of the National Institute for Border Studies will provide among others, policy recommendations and guidelines to the federal government on trans border management, terrorism and national security as well as expand the horizon for indigenous research as well as provide the basis for cooperation, partnership and collaboration with relevant institutions, researchers and stakeholders in Nigeria and global community.
Oladele expressed optimism that the Bill which had earlier been passed by the National Assembly but not assented to by the President will be fast tracked by the National Assembly in accordance with the Senate Rules. “Both Sen. Adeola Olamilekan and Prof. Asiwaju are very committed to this initiative. The President is also very concerned with national security and I’m optimistic that he will give his assent to this all important Bill once the National Assembly passes it”, Oladele stated.
