In commemoration of the gone heroes of Ogoni ethnic nation, the Ogoni Progressive Union, Bonny Local Government recently rolled out their drums at the Industrial Unit School field, Bonny the area of Rivers State, as part of their 17th annual remembrance day of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others.
In his address, the president of Ogoni Progressive Union, Bonny, Elder Legbara Simee thanked all those “who found time to witness this year’s remembrance of the heroic sacrifices made by our leaders and eight others in the course of our struggle for justice”.
The president noted that the Ogonis in Diaspora were gathered to keep the history of their land, adding that the struggle which was initiated by late Ken Saro-wiwa has served as an eye opener to the people in other parts of the region.
According to Simee: “it is pertinent to note that death could not stop the struggle, as the detractors imagined in their heart,” rather, it motivates the people of Ogoni ethnic nation and Niger Delta region to continue from where the heroes stopped, he added.
Legbara charged all those present at the occasion to give their massive support and contribution. Saying that the struggle is not for Ogonis only, but also for the good people of Rivers State and Niger Delta region, adding that some of them present at the occasion will see the fulfillment of the struggle.
The OPU president used the medium to laud the executive chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Edward E. Pepple and the Amanyanabo-in-Council, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple for the peaceful co-existence of the Ogonis in Bonny Island.
The Ogoni leader, in the same vein, congratulated the executive governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, and President Goodluck .E. Jonathan for their good governance. He appealed that the issue of Ogoni struggle should be taken into heart and presented at the world table of discussion with the interest of Ogoni people.
In her view, Wari Opuorubo Elfrida Jumbo lamented over the killing of Ken Saro-wiwa whom she said was her God father then. She urged all Ogonis both at home and abroad to be in unity hence the Ogoni struggle will continue to reign.
Elfrida noted that the footprints of Ken will live forever in the minds of better Nigerians, saying that the present Niger Delta struggle was the initiative of Ken Saro.
In his speech, Inspector Sunday thanked all Ogonis in Bonny who graced the occasion and other invitees who honoured the call.
Sunday appealed to all Ogonis to always be law-abiding in the area. He lauded Ogoni youths in Bonny Island for peaceful co-existence, saying that “I will only frown if you will not obey the rule of law of Ogoni land and Nigeria as a whole. ###
Christopher David-Hart
