AMONG the communities of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom is Okuama, once-thriving until it saw devastation in the hands of the military over the gruesome murder of soldiers on Okuama soil. The Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom, HRM King Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe I, Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo while on a recent visit to The Pointer confirmed the rebuilding of Okuama.
In this interview with AWELE OGBOGU, PATRICK MGBODO, CHIKA KWAMBA, RITA OYIBOKA, DINMA BIGWA, ANGEL ADEBOWALE, among others, the monarch who made news headlines when he turned himself in after he was declared wanted by the military, but later allowed to go home, also confirmed that the indigenes currently at the IDP Camp in Ewu-Urhobo will be heading home anytime soon. Excerpts……
What is the current situation in Okuama?
The situation in Okuama has thankfully calmed down considerably, though scars of recent events remain visible. There is a collective effort to rebuild and restore what was lost, and I am pleased to say that these efforts are progressing steadily. The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori has shown commendable commitment to our community, working hand in hand with the Urhobo traditional rulers, who have also taken significant steps by pooling resources to complement what the government is doing. The rebuilding process is ongoing, and though there is much work ahead, but we are moving forward.
In the Internally-Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, the residents are receiving substantial support from various quarters, both locally and internationally. Just a few days ago, the Queen of the Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, my wife paid a visit to the camp to see the children and to offer support to them. These gestures of support and solidarity are vital, not just for physical rebuilding but for the morale of the people who have endured so much.
Can you provide more details about the rebuilding efforts in Okuama?
Certainly. At this stage, the focus is on laying a strong foundation for the community’s future. Block works are currently ongoing, which is a positive sign that things are moving in the right direction. The Urhobo traditional rulers have a specific plan to construct a community hall in Okuama. The government has stepped up by awarding contracts for the rebuilding of essential public infrastructure, including the school and the hospital. These institutions are the backbone of any community, and their restoration is critical to returning to a semblance of normalcy. We are optimistic that these efforts will not only restore what was lost but also enhance the quality of life in Okuama.
The Pointer’s interaction with the IDPs at their camp at Ewu-Urhobo shortly after it was set-up showed that many nurse the hope that their personal homes could be part of the reuilding. How realizable is this?
The rebuilding plan is being rolled out in phases, which is necessary given the scale of the destruction and the resources required. The government has outlined these plans, and they are being implemented steadily.
These private homes are at the very heart of the community. At the same time, rebuilding homes is a complex and costly endeavour, yet it is one of the priorities. That is where the NGOs, private sector partners, and international donors come in. However, this will take time, and the people will need to manage with the support provided until certainly, they will get to feel the warmth of their homes again.
We know it was not all that easy for many of the IDPs getting used to life at the camp. You admitted so when you spoke to The Pointer earlier. Did their morale get to improve?
Yes, that’s correct. My earlier concerns stemmed from the sheer number of people in the camp and the challenges that come with feeding such a large group. At the time, food distribution was not as effective as it needed to be, which was causing additional distress among the camp’s residents.
However, I am pleased to report that there have been improvements. The government has taken steps to address these issues, and the distribution process has become more organized. As it stands, the camp is accommodating between 600 to 800 people, and while there is still room for improvement, the situation is much better than it was. The people are getting the food and supplies they need, albeit with some challenges that we are continually working to overcome.
Being that most of the camp’s residents are women and children, there seemed to be apprehension by the men that leaving the village entirely will endanger what was left of their possessions like their farms. How is this issue of inter-communal trust being handled?
This is indeed a delicate issue. The majority of the IDPs are women and children, who are understandably anxious about returning to their homes and securing their livelihoods. Their crops and farms represent not just food security but also a connection to their way of life, so the tension surrounding this is real and deeply felt.
There have been disturbing reports, though not yet confirmed, of Okuama women being harassed and assaulted while attempting to harvest their crops. In one instance, a video circulated showing some women being beaten and their harvest taken away. This kind of antagonism only exacerbates the already volatile situation.
What are the security measures being put in place to keep the people safe while at their farms? Are there any long-term plans to ensure that the reported harassment of farmers is handled and that such a crisis that led to this tragedy in Okuama in the first place does not happen again?
Preventing a recurrence of this tragedy is a priority for us all. The government, traditional rulers, and local leaders are all working together to put measures in place that will strengthen peace and ensure continued safety. The government and local authorities are aware of these tensions, and efforts are being made to provide security and support to those returning to their farms and in the long-term.
When can the people of Okuama expect to return to their homes?
The return to normalcy is something we all yearn for, but it’s a process that cannot be rushed. The government is actively working on creating the conditions necessary for people to safely return to Okuama, but there is no definitive timeline yet. However, we remain hopeful that by December this year, there will be significant progress, and we will begin to see people relocating back to their homes.
Part of the preparation for this return includes the construction of schools and hospitals, as I mentioned earlier. These projects are not just about rebuilding structures; they are about restoring the community’s sense of stability and future. The government is committed to this, and we are all working towards making it a realiy soon.
Do you have any hope that the killers of those soldiers will one day be brought to book?
Justice is something that we are all praying for. The loss of innocent lives in such a brutal manner is something that no community should have to endure, and those responsible must be held accountable. I have faith that the military and security agencies are doing everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice. It’s a complex situation, as it involves both local and national security concerns, but I believe that with time, the truth will come to light, and justice will be served.
You made a courageous decision to turn yourself in at the height of the crisis. How did you feel about your arrest by the military?
Turning myself in was indeed a difficult decision, but it was the right thing to do. When you know that your conscience is clear and that you have no involvement in the wrongdoing, you must take a stand to prove your innocence. My decision to surrender to the military was driven by a desire to show the world that I had no part in the violence at Okuama and that such acts were utterly condemnable.
The experience itself was far from pleasant. There was no special treatment; I was treated like anyone else under suspicion. The military was understandably on high alert, especially after the tragic loss of 17 soldiers. It was a time of national mourning and shock, and the soldiers were carrying out their duties under immense pressure. While it was not a good experience, I understand that they were doing what they believed was necessary for the security of the nation.
Could you elaborate on your experience with the military? Were you treated like a VIP, as some reports have suggested?
There was no VIP treatment in this situation. The military was dealing with the aftermath of a very traumatic event, the loss of seventeen of their comrades. The entire nation was in shock, and the military was understandably focused on securing the area and maintaining order. Personally, the experience was difficult, as it would be for anyone in such circumstances.
The military acted according to their responsibilities, and while it was a challenging experience for me, I understand why they took the actions they did. It’s important to remember that in situations like this, the primary concern is national security, and the military has to operate within that framework.
How do you manage to oversee events in Okuama, especially considering that it is in a remote location?
Governance is fundamentally about the systems and structures you have in place, rather than the geographical location. Okuama being in a riverine area does present unique challenges, but it does not hinder our ability to govern effectively. The Ewu community is widely dispersed, with some parts in Ijaw areas and others in different regions. This diversity requires a tailored approach to governance, ensuring that all parts of the community are adequately served.
We are constantly working to improve the infrastructure and services in these areas, taking into account the specific needs of each locality. Governance in a riverine area requires a different kind of logistical planning, but it is something we are fully capable of managing.
There was a report claiming that the population of Okuama is less than 200 people. Is this an accurate representation?
That figure is misleading and does not accurately reflect the reality of our community. The population of Okuama is in the thousands, though it’s true that many of our people live outside the community, either in other parts of Nigeria or abroad. The suggestion that we are less than two hundred is simply not correct and does not take into account the broader diaspora of the Okuama people.
There have also been reports that some persons have been campaigning that the Okuama should be relocated as a village. What is your take on this?
The people of Okuama have a deep connection to their land, it is their ancestral home, a place where they have lived for generations. The idea that they should leave because of tensions with neighboring ethnic groups is not only unreasonable but also unjust. Okuama is their rightful land, and being neighbors with others does not diminish their ownership or their historical ties to the land.
These kinds of tensions are often rooted in misunderstandings and fear, but displacing an entire community is not the solution. Instead, we need to work towards fostering better relations between communities, building trust, and ensuring that everyone can live in peace and security. The people of Okuama have as much right to remain on their land as anyone else, and this right must be respected.
What is your message to the people of Okuama during this challenging time?
To my people of Okuama, I want you to know that this is a time of trial, but it is also a time of resilience and hope. We have faced hardships that no one should have to endure, but we have also shown the world our strength and determination. I urge you all to remain united, to support one another, and to continue to believe in our collective future. Our land is our heritage, and we will rebuild it together, stronger and more vibrant than ever. Let us not be disheartened by the challenges before us, but rather, let us be inspired to overcome them and emerge from this crisis as a community that is more united, and more determined than ever to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for our children and generations to come.
