Thousands of Ogoni people on Sunday converged on Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, to mark the 33rd Ogoni Day, using the occasion to renew their demand that the Federal Government create Bori State.
Unlike previous celebrations often marked by charged and partisan atmospheres, this year’s event was calm and orderly, devoid of political jostling.
In a rare show of unity, the four factional presidents of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) sat together and delivered a joint address. The leaders—Prof. Olu Wai-Ogosu, Fegalo Nsuke, Prince Biira and Lazarus Tamana—had their address read by the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere.
In the address, MOSOP acknowledged steps taken by the Federal Government to address long-standing injustices against the Ogoni people, including the ongoing environmental remediation by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni (FUET), and the posthumous national honours conferred on fallen Ogoni leaders. However, the group insisted that the measures were insufficient.
“The position of MOSOP is clear: for there to be a resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, there must be full and transparent implementation of the Ogoni Dialogue report, anchored on the Ogoni Bill of Rights,” the address stated.
MOSOP further lamented the political marginalisation of the Ogoni, noting that no indigene of the area has ever served as governor, deputy governor, speaker of the state legislature or chief judge of Rivers State. The leaders argued that the creation of Bori State remains the most viable way to correct these imbalances.
Goodwill messages were received from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Former MOSOP President, Legborsi Piagbara; the Vice-Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Chinedu Mmom; and the President of Gnolabia Ogoni Women, Mrs. Jennifer Nwisanee, also addressed the gathering.
Prof. Mmom said FUET was established to respond directly to the concerns that birthed the Ogoni struggle and pledged that the institution would play a transformative role in the development of Ogoniland. He disclosed that 60 per cent of employment opportunities in the university would be reserved for Ogoni indigenes.
Shortly after the main event, a group of women and men bearing placards and twigs marched into the arena chanting, “No Bori State, No Oil Resumption.” The protesters, led by the Executive Director of Lekeh Development Foundation, Mr. Friday Nbani, carried placards demanding climate justice and opposing the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Nbani argued that the creation of Bori State would help redress historical injustices against the Ogoni by granting them greater political autonomy, including the opportunity to produce their own governor, manage their own institutions and govern their affairs according to their values.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who was not physically present at the event, issued a statement to mark Ogoni Day. In a press release signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, the governor congratulated the Ogoni people, describing Ogoni Day as a symbol of resilience, identity and a historic struggle for justice.
Governor Fubara noted that the sacrifices and courage of the Ogoni people constitute a defining chapter in Nigeria’s socio-political and democratic history. He called on Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to shun disunity and internal divisions within MOSOP and the wider Ogoni community, stressing that unity of purpose remains critical to advancing the collective interests of the people.
