The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has reaffirmed its commitment to peace and non-violence struggle in her demand for social justice and the rights of the Ogoni people. Mr. Legborsi Pyagbara, President MOSOP made this known during a 3 day workshop in partnership with the international non-violence Training Fund held at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori.
The President enjoined participants to continually and relentlessly seek Peace and Unity to work for the growth and development of the people, while declaring that everyone has the chance to make positive contribution to the ideals of the Ogoni struggle to ensure the dignity of every Ogoni man especially the protection of the environment.
Speaking through the Program Officer and training facilitator, Mr. Anthony Aalo the President stated that the event was organized to build the capacity of the Ogoni farmers affected in the recent acquisition of farmlands for commercial Banana plantation by the Rivers State Government that cut across various communities in Tai and Khana LGA s respectively.
Mr. Aalo further explained that the training was centred on non-violent activism, advocacy and negotiation.
He said participants were drawn from affected communities which includes Teka Sogho, Zor Sogho, Nuagha Sogho, Kaani, Luusue Sogho, Bara-Kaani, Ue-Ken, Korokoro and Ukwale communities.
Mr. Aalo told participants to always follow the footstep of late Ken Saro Wiwa in demanding justice for the people of Ogoni so that the efforts of the leaders will not be in vain. “We must do all we could to uphold the good name we are known for in the quest to demand for our right” he said.
The facilitator reminded the aggrieved farmers not to take laws into their hands as house divided against itself cannot stand but should be steadfast as their case is now before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
It would be recalled that the MOSOP President, Mr. Pyagbara was in Mexico to attend the 5th Assembly of Global Environment Facility (GEF), as the GEF indigenous people focal point for Africa and member of the Global Indigenous People Advisory Group, MOSOP has continued to press home the request enshrine in the Ogoni Bill of Rights particularly in the areas of political inclusion and representation, environmental restoration and the revival of the Ogoni language and culture.
In her speech, one of the community women leaders, Mrs. Isaac Gladys described the workshop as an “eye-opener” while appealing to MOSOP to sustain the tempo.
Also speaking one the participants, Mr. Emmanuel Kpugibue from Sogho community tasked the organizers to replicate the training in the various communities.
Highlight of the event was paper presentations from Dr. Allen Fidelis of University of Port Harcourt, on “Non-violent activism, while Emen Okon and Chinedu Adebomi made presentation on advocacy negotiation, a civil society perspective. ###
Pius Dukor
