Imo: Committee Recommends Return of Lands Forcefully Taken from Alvan

By Jennifer John

The committee for the recovery of lands forcefully taken away from Alvan Ikoku College of Education by officials of past administrations in the state has submitted its report, recommending to the present government to do everything within its powers to recover and return all the lands to the college (now University).

Submitting the report to the governor, Tuesday, the chairman of the committee, Chief Vitalis Orikaeze Ajumbe, made some recommendations to the government which included:

The Imo State Executive Council should direct the return of all lands belonging to Alvan Ikoku College of Education which are currently illegally in the hands of individuals.

That the state governor should direct the Commissioners of; Lands, Survey, and Urban Development to recover these lands within six months.

That Alvan Ikoku College of Education should pay the balance of compensation to Orji indigenes who are the original owners of Shell Camp, as agreed, which should be no later than six months.

The report condemned ill treatment mated to Alvan staff, including ejecting them from their residence and allocating the lands to Okorocha’s family members, friends, and allies who have built structures there.

Responding the governor assured the chairman and members of the committee that their report/recommendations will be taken very seriously.

He said the recovery of all assets of Alvan Ikoku College of Education is Germain, especially now that it has been upgraded to a full-fledged University of Education.