The Umuire community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State has expressed profound grievance and opposition to the alleged intentions of the Imo State government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to transfer ownership of their ancestral land, formerly housing the Imo State Polytechnic, Orlu Campus, to the Catholic Diocese of Orlu. This proposed transfer has sparked outrage within the community, primarily due to the perceived lack of consultation, consent, and compensation for the land, which the community originally donated to the state government for public use.
The heart of the matter lies in the historical context of the land acquisition. The Umuire community asserts that they willingly provided the land for the establishment of the Imo State Polytechnic, Orlu Campus, without receiving any monetary compensation. This act of generosity was driven by a sense of civic duty and a belief in contributing to the greater public good. The community understood the importance of education and willingly sacrificed their land for the advancement of knowledge and development within their region. Now, with the polytechnic relocated to Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area, the community feels betrayed by the government’s apparent intention to transfer their ancestral land to a religious entity without due process or regard for their rights.
In a formal letter addressed to the Imo State Attorney General, Cyprian Akaolisa, Esq., dated January 28, 2025, the Umuire Progressive Union, representing the community, articulated their concerns and objections to the proposed land transfer. They emphasized that the initial relinquishment of their land was predicated on the understanding that it would serve a public purpose, namely, the operation of the polytechnic. The community’s letter serves as a formal expression of their dissent and a demand for accountability from the state government.
The community vehemently denies any historical basis for the Catholic Church’s claim to the land. They refute the notion that their ancestors sold the land to Irish missionaries, thereby invalidating any claim the Catholic Diocese of Orlu might make based on such a premise. They further emphasize that the Imo State government never provided any compensation for the land, either at the time of the initial acquisition for the polytechnic or in anticipation of this proposed transfer to the Catholic Church. This lack of compensation, coupled with the absence of consultation, forms the core of the community’s grievance.
The community argues that the transfer of the land to the Catholic Church does not constitute an “overriding public interest” in the same way that the establishment of a polytechnic did. Education, they argue, is a fundamental public service that benefits the entire community, while the transfer to a religious institution serves a narrower, sectarian purpose. This distinction, in their view, renders the proposed transfer unlawful and unjust. They maintain that if the state government no longer requires the land for its original intended purpose, it should be returned to the rightful owners, the Umuire community.
The Umuire community’s plea is rooted in the principle of fairness and respect for ancestral land rights. They believe that their voluntary contribution to public good should not be exploited for other purposes without their consent and due compensation. They call on the Imo State government to rectify this perceived injustice and return the land to its rightful owners, the people of Umuire. The community awaits a just resolution to this contentious issue, hoping that their ancestral heritage will be respected and preserved. Their appeal underscores the importance of transparency and community engagement in government decisions regarding land use and ownership. The case represents a larger struggle for land rights and against perceived government overreach. The community’s resolve highlights the deep-seated connection between people and their ancestral lands, a connection that goes beyond mere ownership and encompasses cultural identity and historical continuity.
