… Demand Return Of Imopoly To Original Site Or Handover Land To Rightful Owners
By Ikenna Orioha
In demand for justice, the youths of Orlu autonomous community, Orlu LGA,numbering over 200 had peacefully and massively protested against the forceful and illegal acquisition of their ancestral land by the state government and the catholic Diocese of Orlu.
The protest which, held on Sunday,September 21,2025 in Orlu, saw the unhappy youths asking the government to leave the TESAC Land that housed Imo Poly, Orlu, a state owned Polytechnic that was unlawfully relocated to Omuma, the home of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.
They demanded that the Imopoly, illegally relocated to Omuma, be returned to Orlu,else the Imo State government should handover the land to the Original owners since the government has no need for the land again insisting that never a time did the Umuire,Ndukabia, Ndiowerre and Eluama people donate the land to the Church.
The youths said they were very bitter that the TESAC Land which was preserved for strategic use that would be for the interest of the entire Orlu people and Imo State in general, was wrongly and illegally ceded to the Church which it regretted has been acting abysmally over a land that does not belong to it.
The youth who handed over their protest letter to traditional Ruler, HRH, Eze Dr. PC. Acholonu, Igwe XI of Orlu autonomous community,argued that under no circumstance will the Orlu people allow their land to be taken from them for any reason whatever.
The protesters accused some of their leaders of taken bribe from the government and the church hence the refusal to stand for their people.
According to the protest letter, written and signed by Comr. Odogwu Chijioke (President, Orlu Youth Development Union) and Comr. Okorie Chigoziri Kenneth
(Secretary, Orlu Youth Development Union), “Subject: Position of Orlu Youths on the Alleged Illegal Ceding of TESAC Premises to the Catholic Church
“We, the leadership of Orlu Youth Development Union (OYDU), humbly write to communicate the unanimous resolution of Orlu youths regarding the ongoing issue surrounding the TESAC premises—ancestral land belonging to the people of Umuire, Ndukabia, Eluama and Ndiowerre, Orlu community.
“Sequel to the general meeting of Orlu Town Development Union, OTDU, held on the 8th of September, 2025, at the Ukpakakpu Civic Centre, the outcome clearly showed that an overwhelming majority (about 99%) of Orlu indigenes are opposed to the idea of ceding the TESAC premises to the Catholic Church.
“We hereby fully endorse their position. In alignment with this majority view, we, the youth body, strongly support that the land be retained for the benefit and future development of the Orlu people.
“As our traditional ruler, we respectfully appeal to you to stand with us on this matter. We also humbly request that you use your esteemed office and influence to ensure that the TESAC land is not ceded to Church, but rather preserved for strategic use and future opportunities that will benefit the entire Orlu community and Imo people at large.
“Orlu, as a community, has been very benevolent toward the Catholic Church. Such gestures of goodwill should not be mistaken for weakness or foolishness. It is on record that virtually all the lands housing facilities of the Catholic Diocese of Orlu were freely donated by the community people.
“At no time have our people demanded the return of these lands gifted to the Church. It is, therefore, deeply concerning and disheartening that the Church is now laying claim to land belonging to the people of Orlu and is currently in court with us over it.
“We deeply appreciate your continued support and fatherly guidance and we trust in your wisdom and leadership to champion the will and best interests of your people”.
