FUTO Hosts Raise Committees For Implementation Of Approved Land Excision
By: Ifeanyi Ndukwe
The eleven host communities of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) have established seven committees to develop strategies for distributing the land excised from the areas acquired by the university.
The excised land encompasses 2290.999 hectares.
The committees include the Legal Team, Conflict Resolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Claim Survey Committee, Enumeration of Structures and Valuation Team, Welfare Socio-economic Empowerment Committee (Standing Committee and Works and Infrastructure Committee).
Additional committees consist of the Security Committee, Finance Committee, and Information and Publicity Committee.
The committees are led by Okenze Joe Okoro, ESV Sam Anokam, Engr. Chief John Osuagwu, Dr. Engr. Emeka Udokporo, Tony Okpara DCP (Rtd), Nze Mc Hughes Anokwuru, and Chief Fidel Onyeneke, respectively.
During a briefing with journalists in Owerri following a meeting on Monday, November 24, 2025, ESV Sam Anokam revealed that the host communities convened and decided to establish these committees to devise acceptable strategies regarding the excised land.
Anokam further stated that the portion of disputed land, measuring 2290.999 hectares, was ceded to the host communities by the Inter-Ministerial Committee, which was established by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Education.
The host communities include Avu, Umuoma Nekede, Ihiagwa Ancient Kingdom, Obinze, Okolochi, Obibiezena, Eziobodo, Eziokolie, Umuanunu, Emeabiam, and Dindi Ihiagwa.
Chief Anokam, who serves as the Attorney for the eleven host communities, remarked, “It has been a long-standing pursuit, and it has concluded successfully, leaving everyone satisfied.”
He added, “This action is undertaken to ensure peace within the host communities and to promote the development of the state.”
For several decades, the host communities and FUTO have engaged in a prolonged dispute over land acquired by the Federal Government through the Imo State Government.
The land was acquired with minimal or no compensation provided to the host communities.
