The Ekere Descendants of Alaka, located in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, are undertaking significant measures to determine and authenticate the rightful ownership of land and property within their community. This action aims to combat the rising issues of land speculation and fraudulent activities detrimental to the local populace. In light of this, the community has established an 11-member land verification committee, under the leadership of Mr. Murphy Omavwowha, tasked with overseeing the verification process over the next three years.
At the inauguration, Hon. John Enakireru, the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ekere community, emphasized the urgent need for such a committee. He stated that the primary objective is to safeguard the community’s land and properties from unauthorized acquisition or confiscation, be it by indigenes or outsiders. Enakireru expressed his confidence in the members of the committee, noting that they possess high integrity and expertise to efficiently handle this critical task.
The committee’s mandate encompasses a thorough review of records pertaining to land transactions within the family lands, scrutinizing whether any property was acquired legitimately or if there were any bypasses of family consent. Additionally, the committee is also responsible for determining the extent of family-owned properties in the Uvwie community. By conducting these verifications, the committee seeks to prevent potential losses to fraudsters and confirm lawful ownership of developments on these lands.
The importance of this initiative is underscored by Enakireru’s remarks on the community’s commitment to protecting their territory in Effurun from any form of land speculation. This validation effort is not just about current disputes; it aims to ensure the preservation of land for future generations of the Ekere Descendants. The inauguration ceremony also included the administration of the oath of office to committee members by Pastor Dickson Sam Ejedegba, further solidifying their commitment to their roles.
Among those sworn in were Mr. Omavwowha as chairman, Mr. Wilfred Onoyake as vice chairman, and Mr. Vincent Avwevughogho as secretary, with additional members comprising community stakeholders. Mr. Otocha, pledging his dedication to the committee’s mission, assured that he and his team would work diligently in conducting the verification activities. He highlighted the importance of liaising with community elders to ensure the integrity of the verification process and to recover any land in dispute for the community’s benefit and development.
Community elder Chief Abraham Ejedegba expressed his belief that the committee is obliged to act in the best interests of the Ekere Descendants, reinforcing the community’s collective responsibility to uphold its land rights. This initiative exemplifies the communal spirit of the Ekere Descendants as they strive to protect their heritage and ensure a stable, secure environment for their descendants amidst the challenges posed by land speculators and fraudsters. Through dedicated teamwork and community involvement, they anticipate achieving their goals in securing rightful ownership and preserving their land for future generations.
