The Convener of Ogoni Beyond Oil and Politics (BOP), His Royal Highness, Mene Kadilo Kabari has called on Ogoni leaders to put aside their differences and work towards the development of the oil-rich area.
Speaking at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the murder of four Ogoni chiefs, Kabari emphasized the need for unity among the ruling class and urged the people of Ogoni to diversify their sources of livelihood.
In his address, titled “Three Decades after Toeing the Path of Self-Destruction, Ogonis must Think Beyond Oil and Politics to Reunite and Rebuild Ogoniland,” Kabari lamented the disunity among Ogoni leaders, which he said has hindered development in the area.
He stressed that over-reliance on oil and politics has only led to more division and urged the people to explore other avenues for growth.
The said the BOP project aims to unite Ogoni leaders and promote development in the region.
Kabari’s call to action comes as the Ogoni people continue to seek justice and equality in the face of environmental and social injustices.
Kabari stated that the killing of the four prominent Ogoni leaders that led to other killings worsened the socio-economic and politically marginalisation of the Ogoni people, adding that till date the cloud of injustice still hangs over Ogoni.
He said: “While joining all Ogonis and indeed the global human and environmental rights community to mark the-30th anniversary of gruesome killing of the Late Chiefs Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage and Samuel Orage, the B.O.P Ogoni project, an organization of new breed Ogonis, who are committed to bridging the future today, declares it as most unfortunate that the ominous clouds of environmental, social and political injustice still hang over Ogoniland.
“This anniversary once again calls for sober reflection on where we were, where we are and where we ought to be in the actualisation of the hopes and aspirations of our forebears that culminated in a struggle for which they lived and died. It is saddening however to note in all honesty that we are a far cry from the lofty dreams of our great leaders who lost their lives in the Ogoni struggle.”
Kabari urged the people people of Ogoni to think beyond oil and politics and push towards other areas of endeavours, adding that the struggles around politics and oil have caused more divisions in Ogoni.
He said: “It is therefore the position of members of the B.O.P Ogoni project, that Ogonis far and near must go back to the drawing board, reflect on the struggle that was developed around the tripod of environmental, social and political injustices, which still stares us all in our faces.
“The social stigma of a disunited people, whose leaders were gruesomely murdered first by themselves and, then by the state leaving behind a nightmare of failure from the Ogoni bill of rights to even producing a Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker or Chief Judge of Ogoni extraction since the creation of Rivers State is indeed a darkling plain which requires concerted efforts of all and sundry to change the narrative in every front.”
Kabari urged the federal government set up a committee that would organize a proper burial for the Ogoni leaders who were murdered in their quest for justice for their people and grant pardon to late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight others.
He also urged politicians of Ogoni extraction to work together to end the age long political marginalisation, adding that without unity the nation would remains stagnated.
“The project therefore calls on the federal government to as a matter of urgency and in the spirit of genuine healing and reconciliation, set up a joint committee that will see to proper funeral rites of all Ogoni leaders lost in the unfortunate killings that started on this day 30 years ago…subsequently a post humus pardon on Ken Saro Wiwa & other martyrs of the Ogoni struggle, whose agitation has been vindicated by the UNEP report and who later findings reveal, where victims of manipulation of a people against themselves.
“The project calls on the Ogoni political class to close ranks, rise up from its current state of mediocrity and servitude both at state and federal levels and explore ways of addressing the age long political marginalisation of our people heighted during their time. As new breeds, we resolve to think Ogoni beyond oil and politics, to explore and exploit the enormous and abundant human and natural resources God has blessed Ogoniland with.
“We also call for a holistic project review and impact assessment (thus far) of the ongoing implementation of the UNEP report on Ogoniland being handled by HYPREP with funds from the Ogoni Trust. Consequently, we demand expedited completion of the centre for excellence and its conversion to a University for Environment. This with the hospital, power, water and livelihood projects ought to serve as some form of compensation, if executed thoroughly.”