Association Honours Slain Ogoni Leaders

The Ogoni Welfare
Association (OWA), Lagos, an umbrella body of Ogonis resident in Lagos has summoned the Nigerian state before God over alleged neglect, political marginalisation, environmental degradation, economic invasion and the brutal murders of their sons and daughters by the military junta led by late General Sani Abacha.
In an address, at the inter denominational Church service in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the death of leaders of Ogoni struggle, the OWA Chairman, Engr. Moses Gawa said: “Today, in this congregation, as the heartsof our people, we remember our leaders that were brutally killed on November 10, 1995 by the Nigerian Government under the late General Sani Abacha and Shell 19 years ago and also all the sons and daughters who died during the revolution.
The last commemoration service was held at the Gospel Power Assembly, Ifako, Ogba, Lagos State Sunday.
Speaking on the legacy of Ken Saro-Wiwa he said, “We stand here today at the threashold of history not to mourn, but to commemorate and celebrate the death of our heroes-the martyrs of the Ogoni struggle which is a continuous exercise until our demands are met.
He recalled that the struggle of the Ogoni compatriots which Saro-Wiwa led, commend on a solemn note with the presentation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) to the then military President, Gen. Babangida on the August 26, 1990.
According to him, the OBR demands for, self determination/or political autonomy or self government within the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Bori State as being requested), the protection of the environment which has been badly affected by oil exploration over the years as vindicated in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) reports of August 2011 to commence the clean up of Ogoni land with immediate effect, a fair share of the economic resources derived from Ogoni land.
Others include, the payment of royalties and mining rents to the Ogoni by the various multi-national companies carrying on oil mining operations in Ogoni land.
He urged all Ogoni sons and daughters to re-define their ways, towards achieving the OBR non-violently, adding that an opportunity should be given to an Ogoni son or daughter by all the political parties in Rivers State to occupy the “brick house” come 2015 governorship election.