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Former NNPC director's book sparks renewed calls to reclaim Bakassi
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A new book by Efiong Akan, a former Group Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has reignited discussions about the ownership of Bakassi. The book, titled “Uruan: The Iboku People of the Geographical South Eastern Nigeria and Their Bakassi Economic Zone,” was presented in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. The event brought together scholars, business leaders, former public office holders, and cultural enthusiasts, evolving into a broader conversation on cultural identity, heritage preservation, and the historical connection between the Uruan people and the Bakassi Peninsula. The Bakassi Peninsula, an oil-rich territory in the Gulf of Guinea, was transferred from Nigeria to Cameroon in 2008 following a 2002 International Court of Justice ruling and the 2006 Greentree Agreement. Akan emphasized the need for legal experts and leaders from Akwa Ibom State to support efforts to reclaim Bakassi, describing it as an integral part of the Uruan people’s heritage. He stated that the book aims to preserve Uruan identity, protect heritage, and ensure future generations understand their origins. Captain Augustine Otuekong, the event's chairman, highlighted the Uruan people's historical and geopolitical significance within Akwa Ibom State. Dr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Chairman of the National Pension Commission, reviewed the book, calling it an important contribution to documenting indigenous history and identity. Rear Admiral Francis Richard als
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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