By : Ike Philip Abiagom
IGBUZO, – Growing concerns over the protection of ancestral lands have sparked renewed debate across Igbuzo Kingdom, as residents, community leaders, and stakeholders call for unity and collective action in the face of ongoing boundary disputes involving neighbouring communities of Ogwashi-Uku and Asaba.
The issue recently gained prominence following a public alarm raised by the Mayor of Igbuzo, Comrade Emmanuel Amatokwu, popularly known as Kwasa, who urged sons and daughters of the kingdom, both at home and in the diaspora, to take a more active interest in matters affecting the territorial integrity of their ancestral homeland.
According to Amatokwu, the challenges confronting Igbuzo require vigilance, commitment, and a united front to ensure that future generations do not lose portions of land regarded as part of the community’s ancestral heritage.
The renewed concerns have also revived discussions around Igbuzo’s historic identity, often captured in the popular expression “Isu-Fu-Ogu-Ju-Nni,” a phrase that symbolizes the community’s resilience, courage, and enduring attachment to its ancestral lands.
Many indigenes now describe the situation as a “silent war,” characterized by competing territorial claims, disputed boundaries, and growing anxiety over the future of lands long regarded as belonging to the kingdom.
Community stakeholders insist that the matter should not be seen as a dispute involving only specific villages, families, or kindreds, but as an issue that concerns the entire Igbuzo Kingdom.
A major source of concern is the belief that if existing claims are not vigorously defended, future boundary demarcations could significantly alter the territorial landscape of the community.
Some contributors to the ongoing debate have warned that should the Oboshi River eventually become the officially recognized boundary in disputed areas, Igbuzo could lose substantial portions of land that generations have considered part of their ancestral inheritance. Such an outcome, they argue, could have far-reaching implications for the community’s historical identity, economic prospects, and political relevance.
Stakeholders also pointed to the presence of key national institutions located within Igbuzo, including Admiralty University of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army Barracks, noting that these establishments have enhanced the kingdom’s strategic importance and national visibility.
According to community leaders, any reduction in territorial holdings around such institutions could affect future development opportunities and weaken Igbuzo’s strategic standing.
Several contributors stressed that while certain disputed lands may historically be associated with particular villages, families, or clans, their defence should be regarded as the collective responsibility of the entire kingdom. They observed that communities that successfully preserved their heritage often did so through unity, coordinated leadership, and a shared commitment to the common good.
Comparisons were drawn with neighbouring communities that have consistently approached territorial disputes as kingdom-wide concerns rather than village-based issues. According to stakeholders, such unity has enabled them to present a stronger and more effective front whenever questions relating to land ownership and traditional boundaries arise.
The debate has also revived concerns over internal divisions within Igbuzo, often described by elders as the culture of “Ekwe na Ekwe”—a tendency toward factional interests and disunity that critics believe has weakened the community’s ability to respond collectively to major challenges.
To address these concerns, stakeholders have called on the Obuzor of Igbuzo to establish a broad-based Land Defence and Development Committee. The proposed body would coordinate fundraising, legal representation, historical documentation, research, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement aimed at protecting the kingdom’s territorial interests.
Speaking on the need for unity, one stakeholder remarked:
This is no longer about which village owns the land. It is about defending what belongs to Igbuzo. When our common heritage is threatened, every son and daughter of Igbuzo has a responsibility to stand together. Unity remains our greatest strength.
As discussions continue across the kingdom, many residents believe the future of Igbuzo’s ancestral lands will depend not only on legal proceedings and historical evidence but also on the willingness of the people to rise above internal divisions and speak with one voice.
For many, the challenge extends beyond land ownership. It is a test of identity, heritage, pride, and the legacy that will be handed down to future generations.
With emotions running high and calls for solidarity growing louder, Comrade Emmanuel Amatokwu has appealed to all Igbuzo sons and daughters worldwide to remain engaged, informed, and committed to protecting what many describe as the collective inheritance of the kingdom.
He also commended Obi (Dr.) Henry Chukwuma Ajudua and Pastor Idowu Daniel Okeze for their roles in championing awareness and mobilizing support on issues affecting the community.
As one elder poignantly stated: The voices of our ancestors call for vigilance, unity, and courage in defence of the land they entrusted to us.
For many in Igbuzo, the message is unmistakable: “Akwa Alili”—a solemn reminder that the defence of ancestral heritage is a responsibility owed not only to the present generation but also to those yet unborn.