The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, says Gov. Biodun Oyebanji has prioritised effective border and boundary management as part of efforts to strengthen security and promote peaceful coexistence in the state.

Afuye made the remarks on Wednesday at the end of the Third Annual National Assembly Border and Boundary Community Interface organised by the Senate Committee on States and Local Governments’ Administration in Abuja.

She said the state government had adopted proactive policies on border and boundary administration to prevent security threats and resolve disputes peacefully.

The Deputy Governor urged the Federal Government to strengthen border management across the country through closer collaboration with states to curb kidnapping, banditry and other cross-border crimes.

She said Oyebanji had adopted a “give-and-take” approach to resolving boundary disputes, describing the policy as instrumental in settling several long-standing intra-state land conflicts.

According to her, the approach was successfully deployed in resolving the Osan/Epe and Osan/Iro Ekiti land dispute in Moba Local Government Area and has attracted the attention of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

Afuye added that the state was also engaging neighbouring Osun, Ondo, Kwara and Kogi states through dialogue to resolve outstanding inter-state boundary issues.

«”Following early warning signals that some of these disputes could escalate, I led delegations to neighbouring states to seek peaceful resolutions through dialogue and the principle of give and take, and the efforts are yielding positive results,” she said.»

The Deputy Governor commended the National Assembly for convening the interface, saying it would provide an opportunity to strengthen the legal framework for effective border and boundary administration.

She also praised the National Boundary Commission for its efforts in resolving boundary disputes across the country, while urging it to sustain collaboration with border communities.

According to her, unresolved boundary disputes often create opportunities for criminals to exploit porous borders for kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

Afuye stressed that effective border and boundary management remained critical to national security, good governance and economic development.

She said improved border administration would help reduce insecurity, encourage investment and promote peaceful coexistence among neighbouring communities and states.