President, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr. Ledum Mitee has declared that the darkest days of the Ogoni people are over; saying Shell that was largely responsible for the sufferings of the people has now admitted its wrongdoings.
Mitee made the declaration while speaking at a special service to mark the 16th anniversary of the Ogoni martyrs at the All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral in Bori, Khana local government area of Rivers State.
The MOSOP leader stated that the killing of thirteen Ogoni indigenes was the darkest period in the peoples struggle for justice, describing them as martyrs; just as he said the people were preparing to file fresh suits abroad against Shell.
“The murder of the Ogoni 13, as we refer to our martyrs, were no doubt the darkest period in our struggle for justice, but I do assure that in spite of the challenges, our darkest days are all over.
“Three months ago, Shell was forced to admit liability over oil spills in Bodo community as well as the jurisdiction of the English court over the case. This is just a precursor to more that is to come as we are in advanced stages of consultations to commence other similar cases against the company abroad.
“Just last month, the US Supreme Court also decided that US courts can and should hear a case against Shell over claims that the company paid troops of the Internal Security Task Force to torture the Ogoni people for protesting against their operations on their land,”he said.
He lamented that the huge revenue that this country continuously reaps from oil and gas from the Niger Delta environment does little to improve the welfare of the impoverished people, irrespective of which part of the country they reside.
The MOSOP President however urged Nigerians to share in the sacrifices of others, saying,“not opportunities for us to exploit but to hold hands and build needed bridges in the struggle for justice.”
Mitee announced that he would not be seeking re-election as the leader of MOSOP, but promised to continue supporting the course of the Ogonis and the Niger Delta as a whole.
“The fact that I have decided not to seek re-election for MOSOP President should not be misconstrued as an indication that I am leaving the organization. I will always be committed to MOSOP and the Niger Delta struggle,” he said, even as he commended the people for their resilience which led to the ouster of Shell in Ogoniland.
On the delay in the implementation of the UNEP report, Mitee said, “the Ogoni community in Lagos with some of our supporters and compatriots are on similar protest to the headquarters of Shell in Lagos .
“We have served notice that if we do not receive favourable response soon, we shall take our peaceful protests to the seat of government in Abuja and thereafter, if we still do not have a hearing, lay our case before the United Nations,” he posited
The Ogoni martyrs include, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Chief Edward Kobani, Albert Badey, Chief Samuel Orage, John Kpuinen, Chief Theophilus Orage, Dr. Barinem Kiobel,Daniel Gbokoo, Baribor Bera, Paul Levura, Nordu Eawo, Felix Nuate, Saturday Dobee.
Meanwhile, all markets and shops in Bori, headquarters of Ogoniland were shut as a mark of solidarity for the martyrs, just as the Ogoni Peace and Freedom Centre cited opposite the Khana local government secretariat was commissioned as part of the celebration.
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