Why Benin Republic shunned border community treaty — Surveyor General

The Surveyor General of the Federation (SGOF), Abuduganiyu Adebomehin, has stated that the Republic of Benin refused to accept a treaty in a border community dispute because it is in favor of Nigeria.

Adebomehin made the assertion while hosting the Nigerian Institution of Surveying and Geo-Informatics Students (NISGS), Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa Chapter, on an excursion to his office in Abuja.

He said there are many instances where one might be induced to compromise a report in favor of one party, explaining that after Nigeria and Benin resolved the issue, Benin still went as far as digging a trench in order to take a course on River Agbara, turning at a 90-degree angle, and wherever it hits, it will reach the mouth of a river.

While addressing the students about uprightness in the surveying profession, SGOF said, “When they left the main river and went to dig another river and say that is the point… there is a particular treaty. They accept that one, but the other treaty, they didn’t accept it because one favored them, and the other one does not.”

In addition, the SGOF implored the students to take their course seriously, saying, “If I were given another opportunity to go back to school, I would still study surveying. This is not because I am the Surveyor General of the Federation.”

The SGOF also highlighted the importance of their course and its professional recognition in the Federal Civil Service, as it splits into the technical and professional cadres, respectively.

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He enjoined them not to relax on their oars, urging them to proceed to the university after their Higher National Diploma in order to reap better rewards in the surveying profession.

Also, the Director of Hydrography, Surv. R.O. Coker, called on the students to offer their course to fit in the space preferred for their study and encouraged them by saying, “Surveying has moved from the traditional method to the technological method; however, the old method should not be forgotten.”

The Head of the Geodesy Department at OSGOF, Surv. Magaji Duniya, while welcoming the students, told them that it is the highest body in the country and the main office concerned with the business of surveying and mapping in Nigeria.

The school delegation, led by Assistant Lecturer of the Department of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Augustina Ajiroghene, said the students’ visit aimed to foster their knowledge of the modern tools used in the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and to have access to these technological instruments.

She also added that the visit was intended to improve their knowledge and sharpen what they had garnered in school, shaping them to become better professionals in the field of surveying.

The President of NISGS, Jethro Stephen, reiterated the purpose of the excursion, adding that it is part of their academic curriculum and commitment to fostering practical knowledge and exposure. He said it aimed at providing students with first-hand experience of modern technologies and operations in the field of surveying.

“We strongly believe that this visit will enrich the students’ understanding of this rebranding and prepare them for future challenges in this profession,” he added.