The Ugoani of Okpanam, Michael Mbenefo Ogbolu, alongside other community leaders, has reaffirmed that the land on which the Obi Cubana Millennium City is being developed belongs to the Okpanam Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The traditional ruler restated this position when elders and youths of Okpanam, who staged a peaceful protest in support of the project, paid him a visit at his palace. He explained that extensive consultations were carried out before the land was sold to Obi Cubana for the development. Describing the project as a major boost to both Okpanam and Delta State at large, he invoked a curse on anyone attempting to obstruct it. He also assured Obi Cubana of the community’s unwavering support and prayed for the project’s success.
Speaking at the project site, the President-General of the Okpanam Youth Organization (OYO), Comrade Lucky Okolo, insisted that the land belongs to Okpanam and urged the Issele-Azagba Community in Aniocha North Local Government Area to refrain from what he described as land-grabbing attempts. He called on them to stop laying claim to the land hosting the Cubana Millennium City.
Okolo maintained that Obi Cubana lawfully acquired the land from Ogbeozoma Village in Okpanam, the recognized owners. He alleged that the Issele-Azagba people were originally accommodated in the area by Okpanam ancestors as an act of hospitality and should not now claim ownership. He added that the peaceful demonstration was intended to foster a cordial environment for investors, particularly Obi Cubana, but warned that the community would no longer tolerate any encroachment on its land.
He also urged that the project’s signpost be changed from “Cubana Millennium City, Asaba” to “Cubana Millennium City, Okpanam,” stressing that it should clearly reflect its true location.
Similarly, the Ikejiani of Okpanam Kingdom, Chief Felix Okafor, said the protest became necessary following a recent publication alleging that the land belonged to the Issele-Azagba Community. He described the claim as false, misleading, and baseless, reiterating that Okpanam merely accommodated Issele-Azagba residents and that such hospitality should not be misconstrued as weakness. He appealed to the Delta State Government, led by Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene and clearly define the boundary between the communities.
The community’s solicitor, Chief (Sir) Ifeanyi Ejiofor, alleged that certain Okpanam indigenes were collaborating with individuals from Issele-Azagba to promote unlawful land claims. He dismissed a circulating video referencing a purported consent judgment, stating that the legal facts clearly show that the land belongs to Ogbeozoma Community in Okpanam.
Backing this position, the Diokpa-Isi of Ogbeozoma Community, Ogbueshi Joseph Aninye, affirmed that the land rightfully belongs to his community, describing the Issele-Azagba people as tenants.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of Obodogba Youths, Comrade Chukwuma Abumujor, and a frontline aspirant for the position of Okpanam Youth President, Comrade Fidelis Ogochukwu Okonma, said the peaceful protest was timely and necessary to correct what they called a false narrative about the land’s ownership.
Okonma also praised the Okolo-led youth administration for its efforts and pledged to build on its achievements if elected, noting that he had previously served as Secretary of the organization before resigning to pursue his ambition.
