The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial zone in the National Assembly
Senator Tolu Odebiyi, who represents Ogun West District in the National Assembly, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the recent reopening of the land borders closed in 2019.
He described the gesture was a good development which would go a long way in alleviating the economic hardship pf his constituents. Ogun West Senatorial District shares border with Benin Republic.
Odebiyi told newsmen in Abuja that the policy initiative by the Federal Government had gone a long way in addressing such problems as smuggling, illegal trafficking in arms, irregular migrations, importation of banned items like foreign rice and textiles and myriads of trans-border crimes, which necessitated the border closure.
Odebiyi, who is the acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, tasked Nigerian officials to be more diligent and professional in manning the borders in order to prevent the country from being a dumping ground for sub-standard products originating from other nations.
He thanked his colleagues in the National Assembly for supporting his Bill which seeks to establish the National Institute for Border Studies at Imeko, Ogun State, to provide for teaching, research, instruction and training of students in Border Management and other related matters.
The Bill has been passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly, and is awaiting Presidential assent.
Odebiyi explained that when the Institute is established, it would address the problems at the country’s borders.
In August 2019, President Buhari ordered the closure of Nigeria`s land borders over the proliferation of illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products into Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries.
