As part of constituency responsibility Hon. Victor Abang's motion of:
"Threat of Invasion of Okwa Community, Boki Local Government Area by the Cameroon” jolted patriotic Nigerians that the border issue is still volatile after the legal and diplomatic ruse.
The Green Tree Agreement which is the outcome of the ruse came to the effect that Nigeria ceded sovereignty of Bakkassi to Cameroon.
Since then the fate of Nigerians displaced from Bakkassi LGA after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling became a complex and challenging journey. The events unfolded after the ICJ's decision on October 2002, which awarded the Bakkassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
As a result of the ruling, thousands of Nigerians who had been living in Bakkassi were displaced from their homes. The region had a rich cultural heritage and the displacement brought about significant social, and emotional upheaval for the affected communities.
It was Senator Florence Ita-Giwa's constituency and she confronted the responsibility and struggle to the point where she was nicknamed "Mama Bakkassi".
The Nigerian government, in collaboration with organizations and agencies, initiated a resettlement plan to address the needs of the displaced population. Temporary shelters were set up to provide immediate relief, including food, water, and medical assistance, However, the long-term prospects for those affected remained uncertain.
The displaced Nigerians faced various challenges as they adjust to life in new locations. Many struggled to find suitable employment and loss of their traditional fishing grounds further exacerbated the their economic difficulties. The cultural ties to the Bakkassi Peninsula were strong and the forced relocation disrupted the social fabrics of these communities.
In response to the difficulties faced by the displaced Nigerian government continued to work with international partners to implement development projects aimed at improving living conditions in the resettlement areas. Efforts were made to provide education, healthcare, and infrastructure to support the affected communities.
Over time, some semblance of normalcy returned to the lives of the displaced Nigerians, but the scars of displacement an the loss of their ancestral land lingered. The story of the Bakkassi Peninsula serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding territorial disputes and the human cost of geopolitical decisions made at the international level. The hope for those affected was that, with time, their resilience and the support of the government and international collaboration would metamorphose their lives in the communities.
Perhaps the most pertinent question to ask is whether deployment of Nigerian troops at the border is a temporary measure or panacea?
Your comments, critique and different opinions would not be out of place.
Ikechukwu Odoemelam Esq
#corporateleaders
