Reaffirms Ownership of Stubbs Creek

Youth groups, women and community stakeholders from Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Friday staged a peaceful rally at the council headquarters in Upenekang to express support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno over the approval of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway through Ibeno.

The rally, characterised by chants and placards, drew a large turnout of residents dressed predominantly in white, symbolising peace.

Participants described the highway project as a major economic lifeline that would accelerate development in Ibeno and the state at large.

Addressing the crowd, Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, said the demonstration was timely and aimed at countering what he described as “false propaganda and campaign of calumny” surrounding the ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.

Chief Udofia said historical records clearly established that, the Ibeno people had occupied the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve for centuries, dating back as far as 9 AD, adding that governments at various levels were fully aware that Ibeno communities were beneficiaries of royalties from the reserve.

“We know our history, and no amount of distortion can erase the truth, the law and the facts on ground,” he said.

“Any development coming into the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve will positively impact Ibeno land and its environs. That is why we openly welcome the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.”

He also spoke on the existing peace agreement between Ibeno and Esit Urua communities, describing it as consistent with Governor Umo Eno’s peace-building agenda across the state.

According to him, the renewed partnership was rooted in shared ancestry, and he cautioned against attempts to reopen land disputes.

Speaking on behalf of critical stakeholders, Elder Daniel John Sunday thanked President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio and Governor Eno for what he described as their courage in standing with Ibeno on the coastal highway project.

He said the people of Ibeno were peace-loving and development-driven, stressing that the highway would create jobs for youths, attract investors and open up the area as a major economic corridor in Akwa Ibom State.

“We are not violent people. We yearn for development,” he said.

“The Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve is our rightful land, and the coastal highway will bring growth not just to Ibeno but to the entire state.”

The President of the Upenekang Youth Council, Comrade Victor Icon Senem, said the youths of Ibeno were united behind their elders and leaders in support of the project.

“We are not in a struggle for land with anyone,” he said. “We stand with the federal and state governments for the actualisation of this project, which will transform our area and the state in general.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council in Ibeno Clan, Captain Opolopmn Emmanuel, applauded President Tinubu for including Ibeno in the coastal highway route, describing the project as transformative.

He warned against attempts by individuals or groups to instigate land disputes around the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, insisting that the rally sent a clear message that Ibeno people would not tolerate false land claims.

The spokesman of the Ibeno Elders Forum, Barrister Diamond Akpanika, described the rally as a show of unity and peaceful support for government policies. He said the turnout of residents clad in white reflected the peaceful disposition of the Ibeno people and their readiness to welcome development.

Akpanika urged residents to sustain peace to attract both local and foreign investors, noting that development in Ibeno would have far-reaching benefits for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

Receiving the protesters on behalf of the council chairman, Hon. Glory Ekah, the Vice-Chairman of Ibeno Local Government, Pharmacist Ukpong Okon, commended the peaceful and organised nature of the rally and reaffirmed the council’s support for the federal and state governments’ approach to the proposed coastal highway.

He urged youths to continue to embrace non-violent engagement, assuring them that government would, at the appropriate time, take decisive steps to address all outstanding issues surrounding the project.

“We appreciate the peaceful approach adopted by the youths,” he said. “I urge you all to remain calm and law-abiding so that Ibeno can remain a safe haven for investment.”

The rally ended peacefully, with participants reaffirming their commitment to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project and the sustenance of harmony in Ibeno.