The National Coordinator, Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, Chief Gani Topba has solicited the collaboration of journalists of Ogoni extraction in efforts to achieve the goals, dreams and vision of the founding father of the Ogoni struggle, late Kenule Beenson Saro-Wiwa.
Topba made the appeal during a media interactive forum he organised to meet with members of Ogoni Journalists Platform (OJP) at Nana’s Place, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He explained that the media has been a veritable tool to drive home the sincere demand of the people, emphasizing the need for Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Associates to partner with Ogoni Journalists Platform to achieve set targets.
He noted that through the media, the Ogoni founding father, late Kenule Saro-Wiwa was able to place the Ogoni struggle on the international stage, adding that it was also through the media that the Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates would actualise its set objectives.
Topba pleaded with those working in the media houses to always cross-check their facts before publication, adding that some publications done against the Ogoni people were mere propaganda that were capable of creating confusion, misunderstanding and disagreements among the people of Ogoni.
The national coordinator told all stakeholders that it was time for everyone to work together in order to build a new Ogoni.
He expressed dismay at the activities of some groups in Ogoniland, who he alleged induce people to take over oil production in Ogoniland, adding that the group would continue to resist all the oil companies until they come to terms with the Ogoni people.
The human rights advocate alleged that an oil company, Robo Michael was given license by the government to resume operation in Ogoniland, but was reversed after much pressure from the group.
Topba also alleged that the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) being laid by the Shell Petroleum Development Company was a strategy to do distant oil drilling, adding that Ogoni people would resist Shell’s illegal activities until they apologised to Ogoni people over their purported role in the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa.
“Why did Shell renew the OML 11 (Ogoni Oil Field) licence in October, 2017, if they were not interested in coming back to Ogoniland? Here, I have made photocopies of Shell’s application to renew oil mining leases (OMLs) with the headline: Lease Renewal Request For Oil Mining Leases 11, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 43, 45 and 46. Can a tenant who is no longer interested in a house write to renew his tenancy?”
He called on leaders of other groups in Ogoniland ranging from MOSOP, KAGOTE, political leaders, traditional rulers, among others, to give their scorecard and stewardship to the Ogoni people.
Topba also called for the removal of first class traditional rulers in Ogoni, who were not able to settle down in their villages, adding that they cannot maintain peace and order in their villages while they stay away in Port Harcourt.
He also urged the Federal Government to sack the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachukwu for giving the Ogoni people a national insult by saying that Kenule Beenson Saro-Wiwa and the others that died with him were not enough reason to stop oil exploration.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana