KEY NOTE ADDRESS BY OGEPA, ON TUESDAY, 13th MAY 2014 AT THE KEN SARO-WIWA PEACE & FREEDOM CENTRE, BORI. (All protocols duly observed) We all gather here this morning at the instance of the Ogoni Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA). OGEPA happens to be one of 17 Agencies that Ogoni thought expedient to create, if we must be worth our salt among other Indigenous Peoples around the world. Time will fail me to detail what OGEPA; but in a nutshell, A measure to make sure that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Royal Dutch/Shell and others face compelling action to hold them accountable for environmental crimes in Ogoni. Some people have argued that it is a duplication of functions, by the Rivers State Ministry of Environment. But my simple question is, where was the Ministry of Environment when license was given to the Royal Dutch-Shell to explore for crude oil in Ogoni, and left our land as devastated as we all now lament about? There is every need for checks and balances in every system. We call this, internal organ to avoid a repeat of the past. In every vibrant organization (MOSOP inclusive), there is what we call Departments. OGEPA is a Department in MOSOP that will ensure that every Company operating in Ogoni territory and those wishing to establish, conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIAS). Government agencies have failed in this regard, true or false. We hereby appeal for cooperation from all and sundry to help rebuild Ogoni. To achieve this task, the leadership of OGEPA has made several attempts to sell this noble idea among the security agents, our Royal Majesties, our Royal Fathers, various youth bodies and individuals. And make bold to say that the reception has been very tremendous so far. To the matter of today: It must be a thing of great joy to see so great crowd of Ogoni men, women and youths gather here this morning of today, 13th May, 2014. I heartily congratulate you for honoring this call, on the same day the United Nations Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues is meeting in New York, and would meet from Monday 12th to Friday 23rd May, 2014. We want the purpose of this meeting to drop right on the floor of the Permanent Forum while they are still in session. Nobody here is an alien to the fact that MOSOP has a road map; and that is to see that Ogoni becomes free from internal slavery, internal colonization and free to Rule herself. This vision is practicable and achievable. Other Indigenous People that had this same vision with Ogoni people, had since achieved it and, OGEPA and MOSOP believe that it is now or never. The idea of Self Determination or Self-Rule took 25 years to get it through the United Nations General Assembly. It has taken Ogoni 23years and many prominent lives, including that of Ken Saro-Wiwa; yet some educated among us are still unable to reach a consensus on the definition of Political Autonomy. It is a known fact that it took 143 Yes and 4 Nays votes in New York, United States of America, on September 13, 2007, of which Nigeria was one, to adopt the Self Determination Resolution by the United Nations. It was the General Assemblys Vice President (a Nigerian), Aminu Bahir Wali, who personally delivered the General Assembly President, Sheikha Haya Rasheed Al Kalifas speech that, The importance of this document for indigenous peoples and, more broadly, for the human rights agenda, cannot be underestimated. Nigeria knew then and now that Ogoni has come to claim their inalienable right to be FREE, as an Indigenous People. And victory is sure. Ladies and Gentlemen, my lords spiritual and temporal, we are here to stand on the 2nd August 2012 Self Government Declaration. We wish to implore all and sundry to discard every rumor and fears peddled from whatever quarters, intended to distract, dissuade and discourage you from holding on to the dream of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others. We have not forgotten so soon, that WHO IS WHO in Ogoni visited Aso Rock Villa, soon after Ogoni decided she would fill her name in the blank check made available by the United Nations General Assembly, through the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and took it to the bank, on 2nd August 2012. I want to publicly and through this medium appreciate all of them for that visit. The reason is because, against the expectation of some few, those leaders REFUSED to denounce the Declaration of an Ogoni Self Government; they also REFUSED to disown the Declarant, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo. Our Royal fathers, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, All Ogoni people here present. Our meeting here today is for two main reasons: (1). To inform you that, having taken ALL the steps needed to take us to the final destination of RULING ourselves, as directed by the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP); Ogoni has only but ONE last thing to do, else all be tantamount to jettisoning the dream of our Great Leader and Hero Ken Saro-Wiwa, for a pot of pottage. We must henceforth agree to come together, move on together and speak the same but one thing together as one people. This is what has held us these many years and is still holding us back from getting to the promise land. We shall start to enjoy the benefits of Ogoni Ruling Herself in Ogoni territory within the Nigeria State, from this moment if we do just this ONE simple thing today. (2). That although the fight for an Ogoni man to rule Rivers State is noble and a bold fight, it is what the Ogoni man calls Ba naatura zoo o gbor la. It cannot be compared to the Ogoni Political Autonomy or Ogoni Self Determination or Ogoni Self Rule within Nigeria which the OBR demands. Ogoni had the rare opportunity to rule Rivers State in 2011 but threw it away with the flimsiest excuse or, perhaps due to indecision. Here we are today begging for that opportunity lost. It is no surprise that when Ken Saro-Wiwa came on board to preach Ogoni Freedom, these same people mocked him and succeeded to betray him, but after his death they have realized how real he was. We shall not live to regret again forever. In conclusion therefore, I put it on record that, because we have resolved to work together to pursue the Demands of MOSOP and the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR), no force shall be able to stand us and no Ogoni man, woman or youth should do otherwise. Whatever misunderstanding we had, can and will be addressed on a round table. But today we are determined to see to the success of an Ogoni Self Rule. Thank you for your time. JOHN LAR-WISA Administrator, OGEPA
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 16:13:55 +0000
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