Dr Philip Umaru- Ajeh, a Lecturer of International Law at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi ( NSUK), has urged the Federal Government to take another look at the Bakkassi Peninsula judgement in the interest of the sovereignty of the country.
Umaru- Ajeh made the call during the official launch of his book titled ” Rudiments of International Law” in Keff on Tuesday.
He said that the national interest of Nigeria was in jeopardly in the judgement, adding that Bakkasi is a local government in the country that cannot be ceded out without any tangible resistance.
According to him, Chapter nine of his book is a case study of the effectiveness of International Law and how it can be enforced.
” This chapter is indeed the icing on the cake as far as this book is concern, because, it assesses the International Court of Justice’s judgement on the dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over sovereignty on the Bakkassi Peninsula.
” It is a very interesting revalation about the weakness and plight of Nigeria as far as International law is concerned.
” I hope those in charge of Nigeria Foreign policy may take another look on that judgement again.
” Although there is no provision in the ICJ statute for appeal, the matter can be taken up with the General Assembly of the United Nations again as the national interest of Nigeria was in jeopardy in that judgement.
” All avenues in settling International disputes were not exhausted before the judgement was passed as explained in the book,” he said.
Umaru- Ajeh said that the book was made up of nine chapters including references and appendices while disclosing that this was his third academic book being lauched today.
” My fourth book titled ” Elements of Political Science” is currently being edited and will be sent to the publisher any moment from now,” he added.
The university don thanked his colleagues, associates, students and other well wishers for gracing the occasion.
Prof. Onje Gye-Wado, Dean, Faculty of Law, Bingham University, Karu, the Book Reviewer while reviewing the 225 pages and nine chapters of the book commended the author for an excellent job.
He urged scholars, politicians, teachers and other Nigerians to get the copy of the book for knowledge gaining and the overall development of the country.
Speaking, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State commended Umaru- Ajeh for contributing his quota to the development of the education sector and the country and urges other lecturers to emulate him.
Sule, who was represented by his Commissioner for Special Duties( Legal Matters) , Barr. Abubakar Imam, assured of his administration’s commitment to intiate good education policies and programmes for improved standard of education.
The Chairman of the Occassion, Prof. Andrew Zamani, Director, Institute of Governance and Development Studies, NSUK also said that the book was well written and urged all and sundry to get a copy in their interest and the overall development of the society.
Earlier, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi also commended the international law lecturer for a the book.
Bala Mohammed, represented by Asso. Prof. Bilyaminu Suleiman, Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies of the school said that the book would help the students and teachers as well as add value to the society.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the occasion was attended by academicians, politicians, traditional leaders, students among others. ( NAN)