The Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom, His Majesty, King Leslie N. Eke, has declared zero tolerance for land grabbing, fraudulent land transactions and unlawful destruction of properties in hos kingdom, and warned  perpetrators to desist or face prosecution.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Human Rights and External Relations to the monarch, Chief Omenazu Jackson, in Port Harcourt.

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom expressed displeasure over reports of illegal land acquisition, demolition of buildings, destruction of farmlands and displacement of residents from their homes by suspected land speculators across Evo Kingdom.

He described the alleged activities as a serious threat to the ancestral heritage, economic livelihoods, security and peaceful coexistence of the Evo people, saying that the kingdom would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the lawful rights of its people.

“Evo Kingdom is not a no-man’s land, and we will not surrender our ancestral heritage to land grabbers, fraudulent speculators or their willing collaborators. Our ancestral lands are not available for unlawful acquisition, intimidation or destruction”, the statement quoted the monarch.

He stressed that the protection of ancestral lands was fundamental to preserving the identity, history and collective heritage of Evo Kingdom, warning individuals and groups against laying claim to, selling or developing land without establishing legitimate legal ownership.

He also cautioned prospective land buyers, property developers and investors to conduct proper investigations, verify land titles and ensure that transactions complied with applicable laws and recognised landholding procedures before committing their resources.

The Eze Oha Evo III called on the Nigeria Police Force, relevant security agencies, land administration authorities and prosecutor institutions to investigate reported cases of land grabbing, identify those responsible and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He urged community leaders, landholding families and residents to cooperate with lawful authorities by reporting suspicious land transactions, illegal encroachments, threats and acts of destruction of property.

While reaffirming his commitment to peace and the peaceful resolution of disputes, the monarch said the protection of Evo Kingdom’s ancestral heritage must not be compromised by individuals seeking unlawful personal gains.

He stated that ancestral lands throughout the kingdom must be respected, legitimate property rights protected, and anyone involved in illegal land grabbing held accountable through appropriate legal processes.

He advised residents, landowners, investors and prospective property developers to respect the territorial heritage of Evo Kingdom and ensure that all land-related transactions were conducted transparently and in accordance with the law.

King Onunwor

The Head of Chiefs in Nkpolu, Rumuigbo, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Ogwutum Ezekiel, has decried the deplorable condition of schools in the community, disclosing that pupils have stopped attending the secondary school due to the challenges facing the facility.
Eze Ezekiel, who made this known recently in an exclusive interview with Tide, in Rumuigbo, also lamented the poor state of the community’s primary school and roads, calling on the government to urgently intervene to address the situation.
He expressed concern over the state of educational infrastructure in Nkpolu, stressing the need for the relevant authorities to restore conducive learning conditions for children in the community.
The traditional leader said the situation required urgent attention, noting that access to functional schools was essential to the educational development and future of children in the area.
He also called on youths and other residents of Nkpolu to maintain peace during elections, and urged eligible voters to cast their votes peacefully and return to their homes afterwards.
He warned against violence and the disruption of electoral activities at polling units, stressing that “youths and other members of the community must conduct themselves responsibly before, during and after elections.”

On the relationship between Nkpolu and neighbouring communities, he explained that Nkpolu falls under Apara, which is also under Egbema, adding that the paramount ruler of Apara hails from Nkpolu.
He stated that there was no dispute between Nkpolu and the neighbouring communities, and that their traditional and communal relationships remained peaceful.
Speaking on land grabbing, Eze Ezekiel said he had not experienced any case of forceful land acquisition in the community, saying that the land in question had been sold and was almost fully developed.
On development projects, the community leader identified the ongoing installation of solar streetlights as one of the developments in Nkpolu.
He also mentioned a hall constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), existing streetlights and road repairs among projects associated with the commission, while reiterating the need for further infrastructural development.
The paramount ruler further disclosed that his traditional stool had yet to receive official government recognition, but expressed optimism that it would eventually be recognised.
He appealed to the government to address the challenges confronting Nkpolu, particularly the poor condition of schools and roads, while urging residents to sustain the peace and unity necessary for the community’s development.

By: Goodness Emelue & Fruitful Wodi

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, has intensified efforts to strengthen the region’s creative economy through a four-day technical training programme in film production.
The initiative is aimed at equipping film makers with practical skills to improve their professional capacity, expand employment opportunities and promote authentic storytelling about the Niger Delta.
Speaking during the training at the auditorium of the university’s Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, the NDDC Head of New Media in the Corporate Affairs Department, Dr. Selina Dan-Albert, said the commission was exploring opportunities to empower young people with relevant skills to thrive in the creative industry.
In a statement signed by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Dan-Albert described the programme as an investment in the future of the region’s creative sector, noting that it would encourage greater interest in film making as a viable career and source of livelihood.
She urged participants to maximise the opportunity to develop their technical expertise and establish themselves professionally, while using their creative abilities to tell authentic stories about the Niger Delta.
She assured them that the commission would sustain its support for initiatives aimed at improving the skills and professional competence of young people in the region.
The Head of the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, Prof. Edward Imo, said the programme was designed to equip participants from the Niger Delta and other parts of Nigeria with the technical expertise required for film production and the use of cinema to communicate the region’s experiences and stories.
He described the partnership with the NDDC as an indication of growing opportunities for the department and commended the commission for recognising its contributions to practical film production.
Imo said the department had a pool of skilled personnel and industry professionals, including individuals with experience in Nigeria’s film industry, adding that the training would further strengthen the creative sector.
On the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital technologies, Imo said filmmakers should embrace emerging tools without losing the human experiences, emotions, aspirations and social realities that give stories their meaning.
He urged participants to deploy technology responsibly in addressing societal concerns and promoting development, while calling on other government agencies to emulate the NDDC’s investment in human capital development.
According to him, sustained investment in skills acquisition and professional training would strengthen the Nigerian film industry and expand opportunities for young people.
The Consultant and Managing Director of GreenHedge Resource Consults Limited, Mr. Francis Abayomi, said the Niger Delta had considerable potential for growth in the creative industries.
He explained that the training was designed to provide young people with practical filmmaking skills, noting that the University of Port Harcourt was selected because of its pool of talent and contribution to producing professionals for the creative sector.
The National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria, Mr. Uche Agbo, described filmmaking as an important driver of employment and economic growth, with the potential to help young people develop sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty and crime.
Agbo said the film industry offered accessible entry points for aspiring professionals, making it a viable avenue for youth empowerment and economic inclusion.
He urged participants to develop distinctive storytelling styles and remain committed to integrity and authenticity, stressing that filmmakers must remain faithful to their stories and avoid distorting facts in their creative work.
Also speaking, veteran Nigerian actor, Mr. Bimbo Manuel, described the programme as timely, given the growing contribution of the Nigerian film industry to the creative economy and national development.