AE-FUNAI VC INAUGURATES JOINT LAND COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS LAND, COMPENSATION ISSUES

The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, Prof. Daniel Nwachukwu, has inaugurated a Joint University and Landowners’ Committee to address unresolved issues relating to land ownership, compensation, resettlement and the relationship between the university and its host communities.The committee comprises representatives of the university and its two host communities — Ndufu-Alike and Edufu-Echara Autonomous Communities in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.The university representatives are Prof. Celestine Afiukwa, Prof. Romanus Ejega, QS Chidi Ukwuoma, Prof. Arthur Nwachukwu, Dr Onyekachi Eni and Mr Justin Azahan.The host communities are represented by Prof. Agabus C. Nwuzo, Mr Ifeanyi Elom, Arc. Okeh Shadrach and Mr Odum Paul Oche Ifeanyi.According to the university, the committee’s terms of reference include identifying the original landowners, determining existing arrangements concerning the land before government takeover, initiating the compensation process with the Ebonyi State Government, and facilitating compensation and resettlement for affected landowners.The committee is also mandated to promote cordial relations between the university and landowners and address other land-related issues within and around the university community.While inaugurating the committee, Nwachukwu urged members to approach their duties with sincerity, fairness and a strong sense of responsibility.He stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence between the university and its host communities to the growth and stability of AE-FUNAI.Nwachukwu also reiterated the university management’s commitment to constructive dialogue with the host communities and addressing legitimate concerns through mutual understanding.The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Celestine Afiukwa, thanked the university management and community leaders for their confidence in the committee members.Afiukwa said the assignment concerns both the foundation on which the institution stands and the people whose land made that foundation possible.He assured that the committee would work diligently towards a fair and lasting resolution of the issues.He also pledged that the committee would handle land and compensation matters with transparency, fairness and urgency.