Calabar — As the Cameroonian government enjoys the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to it, it has extended its claims of ownership to the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obanliku local government area of Cross River State. But the Cross River state government says such a claim is only an empty threat that is yet to be substantiated.
Director-General of the Cross River Border Development Commission (BORDERCOM), Mr. Leo Aggrey who disclosed the alleged claim by the Cameroonian government recently, said the matter was still considered a rumor by the state government.
Hear him: "The Cameroonians are threatening to take over the Obudu Ranch Resort, the Cross River state tourism haven". Mr. Aggrey, who was addressing newsmen on the achievements and prospects of his commission so far, said it was alleged that there was a renewed move by the Cameroonian officials to agitate for the ownership of the landlord communities of the ranch.
He, however, described the development as "empty threat' as anything serious on that would have been presented at the International Court of Justice[ICJ] at the Hague "as was the case with Bakassi".
The Director-General said his commission had spent N214million on the development of some border communities in the state between 2007 and 2008, adding that more achievements are being recorded.
On Bakassi, Mr Aggrey said the state government continued to accord priority attention to the needs of the displaced Bakassi people in response to their plight, stating that a number of projects had been outlined for them including the construction of the long awaited Dayspring/Qua Island.
He remarked that the new area, when completed, would offer the displaced people the opportunity of going back to their initial primary occupations of farming and fishing on a larger scale as government intended to enhance their capacity in this regard.
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Out cowardice and pressure from the West Chief Obasanjo Mr. Look good, without due consultations to the N/A assembly single handedly ceded Bakassi to the Cameroonians. The last real Nigeria leader was Tunde Idiagbon who staged the Operation Sea Lion and sounded a warning to the Cameroonians government that Nigeria was ready to defend her continental Shelf.
Yesterday it was Bakassi today it is Obudu and tomorrow the entire Cross River State. Rumor had it that Obasanjo was scared that if war broke out between Nigeria and Cameroon that the Igbo may actualize their dream hence he gave up Bakassi. But did Obasanjo realize that had he done right by the Igbo that there would be no reason to be afraid of what the Igbo would do in event of a war. The effective of Igbo marginalization will continue to haunt Nigeria every step of the way.
Even as we speak the rest of Nigeria is still scared of the Igbo next move hence the Fed under Obasanjo was dragging its foot to commission Enugu or Owerri as International Air Port. Why is Ogota Lake not dredged and commission as a mega tourist center in Nigeria? Why is River Niger not dredged as a major water sea way and why is the second Niger Bridge not built? Yes, partly to punish the Igbo for expressing their God given rights for self determination but the main reason is to keep the Igbo under lock and key afraid that they might push for Biafra again.
Biafra is still on the table for as long as Nigeria continues to treat the Igbo as second hand citizens. Chief David Mark should initiate a move in the N/A to give back all Igbo land he ceded to then River State under Obasanjo command. We did not see David Mark rush to endorse any Igbo presidential candidate and to say that President Good luck is not a good candidate.
We should expect more land grabbing from the Cameroon authority. When we gave Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon authority, that was the beginning of their expansion aided and advised by French authority for weapon market . When the Obasanjo administration and his gang of corrupt officials mortgaged the territory of Nigeria, all Nigerian become victim. I am not aware of any country in the world, that such an important decision could have been made without first seeking the consent of the people affected, either in the form of referendum or Town Hall meeting. The influence and the authority of the so-call World Court has become dominant in Africa whenever issue of boarder dispute occurs. Our so-call legal experts who represented the country spend more time in Europe banks than in court. Under Obasanjo administration, we where supposed to be governed with democracy umbrella, but the situation was a reverse. Decision and major policies that affected the country were never openly debated for diverse opinion. The people of Nigeria have not been told how the territory of Nigeria became part of Cameroon, except it was the decision of the World court. Nor have we been told how many million of naira was spent in the process. In my opinion World court is nothing but a political tools set up by the Western countries to consolidate their power. How many decision of the World court has ever been accepted by US, Britain or France etc.Non, because their decision is non binding and lacks power. Nigeria has become victim of ignorance leaders.
Nnanna Obi :
Bakassi Peninsula is a paradise with white sandy beaches,lush palms and mangrove forests.A part from being a rich fishing ground,it is also rich in gas and oil.That General Yakubu Gowon would unilaterally cede a part of Cross River State,which supported his war of genocide to Cameroon shows that he is an evil and wicked man.The ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon is a treasonable felony.If Gowon can't be sent to the Hague to face charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity,he should be tried here in Nigeria along with Obasanjo for treasonable felony.
Cameroon is looking for trouble and they will get it if they continue claim Nigeria. We will fight and annexed them into Nigeria and they be 32 state of Nigeria
What makes you think you can just beat and annex Cameroon?? Your inexperience in international affairs has taken a good chunk out of your brain. Diplomacy doesn't mean going to war. If the Cameronian are playing a fast one over Nigeria then it's time Nigeria sue them to the ICJ. Some uninformed people are saying Gowon gave out Bakassi to Cameroon, but during the hearings at the Hague Cameroon won because it tendered Anglo-German partitioning documents which proved Bakassi was on the part of former German Cameroon. Get these facts clear and stop accusing OBJ and Gowon for nothing. Has the Federal gov't won the war against MEND which is just a small group of unorganized individual?? No !!! So what will be the out come in a war with a country having an air force,marine and infantry??? You know the answer. In any war people die on both sides so war isn't the solution but the brain(diplomacy)