Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
Rumoured tension in Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State over alleged controversial sales of government school land by the community leaders appears to have died down as the Council of Elders declares support for the action of Chief Stephen Okonedo, President General, Otokutu Community.
It could be recalled that crisis was allegedly looming after a segment of the community accused Chief Okonedo of allegedly encroaching and selling community allocated years ago to Otokutu Grammar School and allegedly appropriating proceeds for personal use.
In a statement signed by Maj. Obadatite Koveyan (rtd), Eldest Man and six others, the Elders Council said those angered by Chief Okonedo’s role in the Otokutu Grammar School land saga are bent on causing conflict to tear the community apart which they will resist.
According to the Elders Council of Otokutu Community, “the President did not trespass nor has any intention to sell any part of Otokutu Grammar School land. The area cleared and mapped out are not part of the school. They are designed for cemetery and other community projects for rapid development. The Elders are behind the President General on all decisions and projects embarked on. We are united and not divided as being claimed by some persons who failed to reveal their identity.”
While saying that the entire community including youths and women are in tandem with their decision, the Elders Council called on the public to disregard the allegations of allegedly selling community land and appropriating funds derived from it.
