…Says it is proud of all who fought for Ogoni freedom
By: Felix Ikpotor
Leadership of The Movement for Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, has condemned in strong terms last Tuesday’s attack on its president, Chief Legborsi Saro Pyagbara.
Recall that media reports said on Tuesday that some youths invaded the Port Harcourt office of the organization and attempted to lynch the president but for the intervention of staffers in the office who helped to rescue him.
The body in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke said, “the attack on our president is not only a violation of his fundamental rights but also a threat to the tenets and foundation of our struggle which is anchored on non-violence”.
“We consider this attack a sacrilege as it is not just an attack on our respected president but a direct onslaught against the successor of Ken Saro-Wiwa and will not be tolerated”.
MOSOP added that though the attack is currently a subject of police investigation, it is condemnable, degenerative, ridiculous and unacceptable.
Similarly, the body has called on the Ogoni people to sustain the struggle for freedom until victory is won.
Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke made the call in Eleme on Friday at a town hall meeting in Ebubu, Eleme local government area.
Nsuke while responding to a question from a foundation member of the Federation of Ogoni Women’s Association (FOWA) who wanted to know how the forth-coming cleanup exercise will compensate the sacrifices of those who have stood for the Ogoni struggle over the years said: “it is your pain, your deprivations, your sleeping in the bush, the torture you received in the hands of Paul Okuntimo and the Nigerian military that has given us the impetus to speak today. All of you who fought and suffered in one way or the other to bring us freedom are our real heroes. We are proud of you and you will remain dear to us”.
“We must all resolve to sustain the struggle for the sake of our children and our children’s children. We must make them proud by handing over to them, the Ogoni that our fallen heroes died for, the free Ogoni you laboured and sacrificed for, the Ogoni of our dream where opportunities will abound for all, an Ogoni that will attract people from all over the world because of her values and commitment to freedom” he said.
Earlier, Nsuke who represented the president, Legborsi Saro Pyagbara spoke on community role during the cleanup exercise and called on the people to be resolute in the quest for a clean environment.
“We must all agree and resolve that we want a change. A change from drinking contaminated water, a change from living in this poisoned environment and to ensure that we are part o the process to give life back to our environment,” he said.
He continued by saying that the people must also ensure that they adopt legitimate means in reporting and responding to issues.
Nsuke told the people to promote and sustain peace in the kingdom.
“If you find or hear anything not so pleasing, please contact your chief or local MOSOP Kingdom coordinator allow them to resolve the issues rather than taking to any form of fighting to force yourself to be heard. Where you have to protest against any perceived abuse, please keep it peaceful. You have a right to peaceful protest but always ensure that nobody takes advantage of any situation to cause pain to other people during protests. Do your best to dialogue with your community leaders and resolve all issues peacefully” he said.
The town hall meeting was organized by MOSOP as part of community sensitization efforts to enlighten the Ogoni communities on their role and ensure that there is peace in Ogoni ahead of the commencement of the much publicized clean-up exercise expected to commence this year.
