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NEWSPAPER REPORTAGE OF BORDER CLOSURE AND RELATED ISSUE IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background to the Study

Newspapers have consistently remained useful resources in society since their emergence in the 17th century (George, Curran, & Wingate, 2016). As a medium of mass communication, newspapers serve as tools for shaping thoughts, and means of controlling economic and political powers (Copeland, 2013). Newspapers also provide an essential forum for public discussion and debates, thereby providing guidance for society (Copeland, 2013). Newspapers are regarded as courtrooms, where judgements are passed against societal ills through editorials. The information, education and entertainment roles of newspapers further make them agents of socialisation (Stephens, 2012). Newspapers socialise members of the public by inculcating the values and norms of society in them (Stephens, 1988). In fulfilling these basic functions in society, newspapers, like other channels of mass communication, have always devoted attention to the coverage of various aspects of human endeavours. These include, but not limited to, politics, education, sports, business and economy, religion, arts and culture, entertainment and health.

It is pertinent to know that border residents between Nigeria and its immediate neighbouring countries such as Niger Republic, Chad, Benin and Cameroon were living together for harmony and brotherhood quite long prior to the advent of colonial masters. However, with the annexation and conquer of Africa by the then seven Colonial Masters namely: Britain (United Kingdom), France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and Italy and following the Scramble and partition of Africa at the Berlin Conference of 1884 to 1885spearheaded and organised by the then German Chancellor Otto Von Bismark. The said conference led to the demarcation of Africa with the present political boundaries known as borders among African countries. Hence, borders not only between Nigeria and its neighbours but the entire borders in Africa were artificially created by the aforementioned European countries. Closing Border in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon as each regime will come along with its policy on Trade (Cross Border Trade inclusive) and contraband which either led to Land Border Closure or classifying certain goods as contraband. Sometimes the government overlooked the consequences of such closure on the economy and the citizenry who engaged in the cross border trading (Badejo, 2013)

Nigeria shares international boundaries with the Republic of Benin to the west, Cameroon and Chad to the east and Niger, to the north. Apart from these official borders, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says more than 1,400 illegal border routes exist in the country as smugglers routes, creating security challenges

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