We’re being alienated from our land – Asagba of Asaba

Amid the royal pomp and fanfare that greeted this year’s event, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, conferred chieftaincy titles on seven eminent personalities, namely; the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, retired Justice T.A. Makwe and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya and the […]

Amid the royal pomp and fanfare that greeted this year’s event, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, conferred chieftaincy titles on seven eminent personalities, namely; the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, retired Justice T.A. Makwe and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya and the just retired Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Mr. Ikechukwu Ayo Aduba, in the non-indigene category.
Others were the chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Olejeme, the Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Chris Onyemenam and the vice chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah.
Obi Edozien also used the ceremony to express regret over what he described as the activities of land speculators, as well as the illegal acquisition of natives’ lands in the Delta State capital, Asaba.
The royal father, who hosted celebrants from all walks of life to a sumptuous feast at the palace, could not conceal his apprehension over the alienation of Asaba natives’ lands, which he said were being indiscriminately acquired by strangers.
The monarch acknowledged that Asaba town had transformed from a native town to a cosmopolitan capital city, and criticized people for aiding the practice.
“Notwithstanding, some non-indigenes take advantage of this accommodating spirit, especially in matters of land acquisition,” he said, adding that they connived with ‘indolent’ natives who offered them cars or money in exchange for the community’s land, without the knowledge or consent of the community’s heads.
“The role of some of our people, both elders and youths, in this issue of land speculation is shameful and we hope that they will change their ways and desist from their irresponsible alienation of our people’s heritage,” the monarch stated.
He disclosed that his palace had inaugurated a six-man land management committee, which membership was drawn from seasoned professionals of Asaba community and charged it with the responsibility of retrieving all community lands that were acquired illegally.
“I wish to state that the Asagba–In-Council has approved the appointment of a six-man Asaba land management committee to work out modalities for the central management of all Asaba lands for the benefit of the entire Asaba community and future generations,” he stressed.
The Asagba said the palace had sought the cooperation of the Okpala-Ukwus of the five native quarters of Asaba community, comprising Umuezei, Ugbomanta, Umuagu, Umuaji and Umuonaje (known as the constituent Ebos) and the heads (Diokpas) of their respective villages (Ogbes) “to ensure the success of this well thought out land reform in Asaba.”
But Sunday Trust investigations revealed that the Okpala-Ukwus and Diokpas were not disposed to the idea of giving up the control of lands to the central committee, claiming that as traditional rulers, the custody and control of Asaba community land system was vested in them and not the Asagba or the Asagba-in-Council. For that, they were not willing to relinquish their customary right, it was gathered.