As Ogoni leaders of thought prepare to present another detailed list of demands to the Federal Government before the resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoni land- Khana, Tai, Gokana and Eleme Local government areas, women from Ogoni ethnic nationality under the agies of Eedee Ladies of Tai in collaboration with Kebethkache Women Development and Resource Centre have held a one day meeting tagged, ‘Women Consultation Meeting on Oil Resumption in Ogoni Land’.
Addressing newsmen shortly, after rising from their meeting over the weekend at Borobara in Tai LGA of Rivers State, the national president of Eedee Ladies, Comrade Lezina Patrick Ntep Ntep said that members of the group decided to hold the meeting to reflect and deliberate on the meeting held with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and some Ogoni leaders of thought on Monday, January 27, 2025 in Abuja.
Comrade Patrick Ntep Ntep explained that members of Eedee Ladies observed that among the Ogoni high delegation that went to Aso Rock (Abuja) to meet with the Federal Government on the oil resumption, only one woman was among the delegation despite the fact that women bear the greater burden of a devastated environment.
The national president stated that the best way for oil resumption on Ogoni territory should be through a bottom-top approach and not top-bottom approach which the FG and some Ogoni leaders had adopted.
Comrade Patrick Ntep Ntep maintained that the Ogoni women position and interest in the negotiation process was that both the in-coming multinational corporation and the FG should adopt the natural and traditional method of the native Ogoni man palm-tapper called ‘Deekor’, meaning, out of the five days of the palm wine tapping by the palm wine tapper one day should be for the owner of the palm wine.
“We the Eedee Ladies of Tai are not against oil companies or FG coming to Ogoni land for the resumption of oil activities but all we are saying is that they must give us what we want or listen to us,” Comrade Patrick Ntep Ntep added.
Also speaking, Mrs. Anastasia Kenude said that before the resumption of oil exploration in their land, the Ogoni Bill of Right should be re-visited.
She added that the voices of women should be heard, stressing the need for the FG to listen to the women of the area.
“Federal government should listen to the women of Eedee Ladies of Tai or Ogoni Women Coalition if not we will go naked for them.’
Mrs. Kenude lamented that in the recent past HYPREP officials had never consulted Ogoni women in decision-making or selection process in the award of scholarships to indigent Ogoni students in the institution of higher learning.
In her submission, Mrs. Roselyn Alee said that before the oil exploration activities on their soil both the FG and oil companies must settle or compensate them through the process of Deekor.
“Before FG and the oil companies commence the resumption of oil exploration activities on our soil they should settle us or compensate us. Besides, if the Ogoni men want to do something they should always consult the Ogoni women,” Mrs. Alee emphasizes.
On her part, Mrs. Mercy Lekia Ndunee said that in the past, oil exploration activities in the past in Ogoni land had affected their farms and farm produce and aquatic lives.
“If the federal government and oil companies or multinational corporation are working toward the resumption of oil exploration in our land Ogoni women must be consulted if not it will not work. Without involving Ogoni women there will be no oil exploration,” Mrs. Ndunee warned.
Vice president of the group, Mrs. Goodluck Jessica Precious said members of the federal government constituted Dialogue Committee led by the former vice-chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Don Baridam, should always remember the message of late Ken Saro-Wiwa and the founding fathers of MOSOP.
The vice president told the negotiators on oil resumption in Ogoni land that the women of Ogoni would not toil with Deekor.
“We the women of Eedee Ladies are not playing with Deekor. If they want to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land, they must settle us. Both federal government and oil companies must give us our dues or rights,” Mrs. Precious stated.
While the spokesperson of the youth, Lekia Nsoo said that it was unfortunate that those who do not have person were not invited to the negotiation table.
She pointed out that the recent scholarship awarded to over 300 students of Ogoni in the institution of higher learning did not get to the majority of those concerned.
“We want the Ogoni leaders and federal government to consult women before they will start oil resumption in our land. Besides, HYPREP should be fair to all in the award of scholarship to all Ogoni students,” Nsoo asserted.
Our correspondent reports that 30 women attended the meeting held at Borobara community and consultations are continuing in varied local government areas.
You will recall that after the Ogoni high delegation that met with President Tinubu on Monday, January 27, 2025 in Abuja, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee on the resumption of oil and the people of the ethnic group also convened a meeting on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Freedom Square in Bori to chart a new course towards the resumption of oil activities in their land.
