Etomi Community Protests Against Privatization of Cocoa Estates

Thousands of smallholder farmers in Etomi, a community in Cross River State, took to the streets in protest against the alleged plans of the state government to privatize the cocoa estates located there. The protesters, comprising elderly men and women, and male and female youths, carried placards with inscriptions such as "We say no to plan privatization of our cocoa estate" and "Our cocoa estate is not for sale". They called on the state government to cancel its plans to privatize the cocoa estate in Etomi community.

Key Takeaways:

• The Etomi community has been protesting against the state government's alleged plans to privatize the cocoa estates located in their community.
• The community leaders, including Mr. Mbek Agbor-Tangban, Mr. Abang Shikina-Oji, and Ntunkai Mary-Ndum, have expressed their opposition to the privatization, citing an earlier agreement between the community and the government.
• The agreement, reportedly made in 1957, states that the community would be consulted before any privatization or subletting of the land.
• The community fears that privatization of the cocoa estate would lead to unemployment among the community's youths, particularly with up to half of them relying on the farm for their livelihood.
• The state government has denied any plans to privatize the cocoa estate, with the Commissioners for Agriculture and Information appealing to the protesters to remain calm.

Statistics:

• Up to half of the community's youths rely on the farm for their livelihood.
• The cocoa estate was donated to the government by the community's grandparents in 1957.

Sources:

• The Nigerian Chronicle (June 25, 2025) - a publication of the Cross River State government.
• Personal testimonies of community leaders Mr. Mbek Agbor-Tangban, Mr. Abang Shikina-Oji, and Ntunkai Mary-Ndum.