By: Felix Ikpotor
Dr Innocent Barikor, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly says many of the challenges confronting the Ogoni nation can only be resolved by them as the legitimacy of Ogonis to live does not lie in the hands of the Rivers State Government.
Barikor who is laying claim to the presidency of KAGOTE (Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme), the apex socio-cultural organisation in the area, stated this in Port Harcourt, on Monday.
He expressed regrets that some individuals in Ogoni instead of consulting with Ogoni people on how their problems could be tackled would prefer going to the government house to present same.
PHSpectator recalls that another faction of KAGOTE led by Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah who were products of the election conducted by the former president Dr Peter Medee recently paid a courtesy call on the state governor, Nyesom Wike.
Barikor noted that the problem of the Ogoni people can only be resolved by themselves, calling for unity among leaders and stakeholders in the area.
He said: “You will recall that in December we assumed office and this is the first general meeting of KAGOTE as directed by our constitution.
“We have agreed that Ogoni must move forward, politically, economically and otherwise. We have identified some negative economic and social indicators as they affect our people and we are determined to ensure that we change the scenario for our people.
“We have also identified the fact that Ogonis have constituted themselves that issues that concern Ogoni they go outside to seek consultation and approval, we have said that will not happen anymore. Ogoni matters must be discussed and concluded by Ogoni people.
“The legitimacy of our people does not lie in Government House. The approval for the survival of our people does not lie in government house. We want to discuss and resolve our issues ourselves
Barikor who represented the people of Gokana in the state assembly noted that KAGOTE has identified all the challenges bedevilling the Ogoni people, stating that the group has constituted a committee to develop a blueprint on tackling them.
“To address these problems, we have set up a blueprint committee to give a new life to KAGOTE. This committee has been charged with the responsibility of charting a new directive for KAGOTE.
“Identify issues and innovative approaches to addressing those challenges of our people; the challenges of security, challenges of community restiveness, youth restiveness.
“We are concerned that an average life expectancy of our people is changing and we have identified negative indicators to that, issues of HIV, environmental pollution and we are ready to tackle them.
“We cannot claim to be an elite organisation without understanding the challenges of our people. It becomes necessary that we must identify these issues.”
He noted that is Ogoni must succeed that it must be united, adding that KAGOTE would remain apolitical in the quest for a better life for the people.
He said: “KAGOTE is the oldest group in Rivers State. It will be sad to hear that we have aligned with a political party. We will remain apolitical. Although we are political beings, as a socio-cultural organisation, we don’t want politics to divide us.
“We must remain united despite the challenges we have gone through. Ogoni people have gone through tremendous challenges. Let us put ourselves together and move forward because we have the young ones and we cannot explain the failure to them.”
