Vanguard Newspaper Ogoni Report Refuted

“I am saddened by this kind of report,” an Ogoni traditional ruler reacts to a fake event said to have been held to honor Ogoni heroes.
“The only event that was held was at the Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Center, Bori and addressed by MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo and members of the Nigeria Police Force were present,” he stated.
“The sacrifice made by Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others on November 10, 1995 cannot be treated lightly, which is why we always remember them as heroes,” said the President of Ogoni Farmers Association, Mene (Chief) Samuel Asongho, who is also the Vice President of the Council of Traditional Rulers (COTRA).
Mene Asongho who is also a native ruler in Bori and the sole signatory that authorized the use of the land for the building of Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Center, Bori, said that he was very much disheartened by the fake report by Vanguard newspaper; saying that there was another 17th Anniversary Remembrance of the Ogoni Nine, organized by Ben Naanen; whereas there was no such event.
He rebuked Naanen as shameless, and said he “must stop forthwith using the sacrifice of our heroes in vain and his media deception for self-recognition.”
He said Naanen who betrayed Saro-Wiwa has earlier been warned by the council of native rulers to stop the misuse of the name of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni heroes who honestly fought for Ogoni freedom.
Vanguard had reported that: “In his address weekend, to mark the anniversary of the execution of Ken Sarowiwa and other Ogoni martyrs, Chairman, Provisional Council of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP, Prof Ben Naanen, said the Federal Government should take steps to begin implementation of a report,” without stating where he held the event and who attended with him.
The native ruler advised the media not to encourage such irresponsible behavior, saying the Ogoni people are tired of reading false media reports.
A statement by MOSOP Secretariat said Naanen has been banned from holding any activity in Bori, particularly at the Peace and Freedom Center and from visiting Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Burial place at Bane in KenKhana Kingdom.
Mene Asongho is seen in the picture performing libation, a customary ritual to speak to the gods and goddesses as well as the ancestors.