Amaechi Bags Ogoni Hero Award

The Rivers State Government, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has been conferred with the Ogoni Hero Award by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP).

The award which was conferred on the governor during the 2013 Ogoni Day celebration was in recognition of his contribution towards the development of Ogoniland.

Governor Amaechi who was represented by the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial Zone, Hon. Magnus Abe, thanked the Ogonis for the gesture, stressing that Governor Amaechi would not relent in his effort to ensure the implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland.

He also told them to resist the temptation of being used by enemies to foment trouble, stressing that “if the Ogoni struggle is violent, it will thwart the result for which the people have worked for all these years.”

The governor also charged the Ogonis to utilise the opportunities provided by the various government institutions in the area to achieve their goals.

In his welcome address, the chairman of MOSOP Provisional Council, Professor Ben Naanen said the MOSOP provisional council which came on board since 2012 has committed itself to the systematic use of non-violent struggle as well as reinforcing the policy of dialogue and constructive engagement with the government and corporate entities.

Prof Naanen also said that the MPC worked with both local and international partners to ensure that the Federal Government took steps to commence the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme’s report on Ogoni.

He however warned that the Ogonis should no longer be shoved into a situation where it would once again be forced to take its case to the international community and stressed the need for the creation of a Bori State.

Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State (2nd left), with the Commander, Special Task Force, Maj.-Gen. Henry Ayoola, during the official launch of the Special Task Force’s emergency telephone numbers, Common Prayers and Salutation Hand-bills, in Jos, last Friday