By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the series of cult related activities that have plagued Ogoniland in recent times, stakeholders and some persons alleged to be cultists have resolved to work for the peace of the area.
The stakeholders have also resolved not to issue statements capable of causing crisis and uproar in the area.
These were some of the decisions reached at a multi-stakeholders meeting convoked by King Godwin Gininwa, President, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers at Saakpenwa in Tai local government area of Rivers State.
King Gininwa who is the Gbenemene Tai Kingdom in his address said the essence of the meeting was to find lasting peace and to protect the future of the area.
He frowned at the recent insecurity in the area which has led to some villages being deserted, calling on youths to eschew violence and work for the peace of the area.
He said: “ Everyday you hear on the radio that people are dying. Our youths are the ones dying, some of the villages in Ogoni have been deserted,” adding that “ We can no longer fold our arms and see Ogoni dying. We want peace in Ogoni and we can only archive that if we unite.”
Speaking on the security situation in Ogoni, President of KAGOTE, Dr. Peter Medee said the number of persons Ogoni have lost so far in the cult related crisis is more than it had ever lost in any crisis in the past, stressing that so many villages have been sacked while economic life has been badly affected.
He regretted that Ogonis have taken arms against themselves in an unnecessary supremacy war that has led to so many deaths, adding that the area has lost so much as a result of the crisis.
While urging the youths to accept the voluntary amnesty offer by the Ogoni leadership and to stay away from crime, he warned that any of them that goes back to crime after the offer will be made to face the law.
“If you fail to come out today, whatever becomes of you, you will take it and you will not say the leadership of Ogoni did not provide an opportunity for you”.
“The leadership of Ogoni has provided this opportunity for our sons and brothers to accept this rare advantage and come out,” he said.
The KAGOTE boss said Ogoni leaders will be ready to follow any repentant cultist to recover their arms and to declare them free, while he urged the State Governor, Nyesom Wike to go beyond reading the riot act and use his powers to ensure that any Ogoni son caught in crime after the event should face the law.
On his part, President of the Movement for the survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, Legborsi Pyagbara said there is need for genuine reconciliation amongst Ogoni leadership to enable them speak with one voice for the betterment of the area.
Highpoints of the event was the setting up a security committee headed by HRH, Mene Suanu Baridam and the reconciliation by some warring youths.
The meeting was attended by major stakeholders in Ogoni including Senator Barry Mpigi, High Chief Solomon Ndigbara, Chief Bomba Yeeh, traditional rulers, retired and serving senior military and para-military officers amongst others.
