An Address Presented by Nweke Emmanuel Onyekachi PhD (Event Chairman), during the Ogbakor Etche Easter Convention held at Eberi Omuma, on the 21st of April, 2025.

Established Protocol

PREAMBLE

It is with great sense of privilege that I address you today, my great people of Etche ethnic nationality, one of the most revered ethnic nationalities in Rivers State and Nigeria. The two local government areas that make up our nation, have been in the forefront of the prosperity and image boost of our dear state. We are a people known for peace and hospitality to ourselves, neighbours and tenants.

The theme of this year’s Easter Convention, ‘Land Grabbing and Insecurity in Etche Nation’, is not only prompt but a clarion call to forestall image harm and foster prosperity in our dear Etche nation. Land grabbing could mean a forceful or fraudulent acquisition of land asset of a community by government, individuals, and usually in large scale. Land grabbing leads to environmental damage and social unrest or disturbance.

There have identified causes of land grabbing. One of such causes is historical falsehood or absolute or partial history or denial. This is in tandem with Etche proverb which says that ‘Okwara nwuru noke, nnaya zhigburu ya’ (The first son or son that died at the bush boundary is killed by his father). This is the pathetic story of a son whose father did not educate very well on land boundaries. This indicates that incidences of people trying to encroach into people’s land has existed in Etche from the time immemorial. It should be made open here that our Etche people, being an honest nation does not support land grabbing of any kind.

Another cause of land grabbing in any community, including Etche, could be political maneuvering and gerrymandering for political gains. There could be politically sponsored land grabbing, in order to gain political popularity and constituency expansion. Other causes of land grabbing could be that by powerful individuals who do so through intimidation and coercion, for foul wealth attainments.

No gain saying, land grabbing leads to insecurity. A popular novelist Prof. Wole Soyinka, said as rephrased ‘the man has died in a man who keeps silent in the face of oppression and tyranny’. No man, especially Etche man, tolerates intimidation. The reaction to the action of land grabbing may lead to insecurity or violence.

In proffering way forward against the increasing incidences of land grabbing in Etche land, we have to first note that as development encroaches into our land, the quest for land wealth, increases. We may therefore embark on the following:

A.  Various communities in Etche nation, through the supervision of our Royal Highnesses should begin to mark off areas for farmland, delineate zones for residential buildings.

B. Such residential mark offs, should allow for unhindered thoroughfare and event arena.

C. Other expert approaches.

Etche is a peaceful nation and may we continue to be peaceful as he food basket of the nation and by extension, the hope of all nations.

I thank you once again for this rare opportunity.

Long live Etche Nation

Long live Rivers State

Long Live Nigeria.