Protest: Why Obi of Ogwashi-Uku stopped indiscriminate land sale ― Aide

The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Obi Ifechukuwde Aninshi Okonjo II, has given reasons for stopping the indiscriminate land sale in his kingdom.

The traditional ruler spoke through his media aide, Prince Greg Okwumbu, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Delta State.

The Obi, who is a brother to Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said rather than outright land sales, long-term lease agreements can be explored for investors who agree to develop part of Ogwashi-Uku and or build factories that will create jobs for the youth.

The explanation, according to Prince Okwumbu, is coming on the heels of a protest staged on Monday by a handful of individuals in Ogidiase Quarters of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.

Prince Okwumbu said the incidents in Otulu Ogwashi-Uku over the past week have highlighted the importance and significance of Ogwashi-Uku to Asaba and Delta State in general.

“It appears that the close proximity of Ogwashi-Uku to Asaba and the lack of land for development in Asaba has put serious pressure on Ogwashi-Uku.

“From records available, the traditional land tenure system in Ogwashi-Uku vests all land in the hands of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku who by tradition and custom is the custodian, trustee and overlord of all land in the kingdom.

“Following the tradition of his late father, HRM Obi Professor Chukwuka Aninshi Okonjo I, the present Obi of Ogwashi-Uku decided to stop all indiscriminate land sales.

“Letters sighted from the Obi in Council indicate that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku has stated that rather than outright land sales, long term lease agreements can be explored for investors who agree to develop part of Ogwashi-Uku and or build factories that will create jobs,” he stated.

According to him, the “approach to the development of Ogwashi-Uku is in very sharp contrast with what has been happening in neighbouring communities such as Okpanam and Ibusa where land is sold by individuals and villages.

“It will appear that the rigid position of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, who himself is a developmental economist, just finishing up his doctoral degree in France, is creating anger amongst a minority group in Ogwashi-Uku who are hell-bent on selling off all Ogwashi-Uku communal lands that they can get their hands on.

“It seems from a sampling of opinions within the Ogwashi-Uku community that the vast majority of the people in Ogwashi-Uku accept the Obi’s position regarding land sales.

“At the recently concluded Izu Ani (Meeting of the Ogwashi-Uku people), the entire Ogwashi-Uku community endorsed the established land tenure system in Ogwashi-Uku which has been diligently guarded and protected by the current Obi of Ogwashi-Uku.

“The disjointed press release by some fringe elements in Agidiase Quarter, who appear to be confused as to the purpose of their press release, has been condemned by the vast majority of Ogwashi-Uku people and even the Diokpa in Agidiase quarter Diokpa Chad Rafua.”

Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the Ogwashi-Uku Youths, Comrade Augustine Nkwo, in a statement on Tuesday, dissociated the Ogwashi-Uku umbrella youth body, Ogwashi-Uku Youths Development Association (OYDA), from the protest which took place on Monday.

Prince Okwumbu urged all members of the Ogwashi-Uku community to join hands to confront the external aggressors, who are trying to take parts of Ogwashi-Uku communal lands.

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