Participants of NDC Course 28 Presents Research Paper to Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo

In fulfillment of part of the requirement for the award of fellow Defence College (fdc) the Participants of National Defence College Course 28 have presented the Vice President’s Research Paper to the Vice President, His Excellency Prof Yemi Osinbajo. The Research Paper titled, Border Management and National Development in Nigeria: The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons Residence and Establishment in Perspective was delivered through virtual means at the College Conference hall on Monday 29 June 2020. In attendance during the presentation were the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Mackson Kadiri, Deputy Commandant, members of faculty and Directing Staff (DS) and selected Participants of NDC Course 28.

In his opening remark, the Commandant, Rear Admiral Kadiri thanked the Vice President for finding time from his tight schedule to receive the Participants. He stated that the Vice President’s Research Paper was part of the College service research report delivered yearly to the office of the Vice President with the aim of aiding the formulation of strategic policies that could address some of the challenges facing the country.

Speaking at the end of the presentation, the Vice President stated that border management affects the economy very considerably, hence the need for agencies involved in the sector of border management to work closely. He said “it is absolutely the correct thing to do, to try and see how we can unify agencies concerned with border management so that there is synergy. We must come back to the question of synergy. Why it is that we have the kind of problem that we have at the borders and ports and why the delays?”  He thanked the participants for a well research paper, noting that the paper addressed important national issues and that effort would be made to adopt and implement key recommendations.

The Vice President received the presentation along with the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Ade Ipaye, Director General Border Communities Development Agency, Capt Junaid Abdullahi, Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Ambassador Adeyemi Dipeolu and the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.

The paper was presented on behalf of NDC Course 28 Participants by Col Babatunde Omopariola, Nigerian Army Participant while discussants were Brig Gen Jitendra Singh Indian Army Participant, Col Raymond Utsaha, Nigerian Army Participant, Capt OA Oshatuberu, Nigerian Navy Participant and Gp Capt Ehimen Ejodame, Nigerian Air Force Participant.