For there to be meaningful progress, prosperity and peace in Ogoniland, the people must be able to forgive one another.
The Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe made the declaration at a multi-stakeholders meeting of Ogoni leaders cutting across the political class, academia, women, youths and the traditional institution at Saakpenwa, headquarters of Tai Local Government Area of the State.
He stated that until there is genuine forgiveness among the leadership and the people, peace and progress may elude them, noting that even the Ogoni clean-up cannot take place in an atmosphere of violence, and bitterness.
The Senator urged them to put behind whatever might have been responsible for their differences and chart a new way forward for a new beginning.
According to Abe: “It is important that we understand that without forgiveness, this land cannot move forward. All of us have had our differences but we cannot pursue our differences while Ogoni is sinking; let us forgive one another.
“It is our responsibility as leaders of the people to bring the current state of insecurity and hopelessness in the land not just under control but bring it to an end in such a manner that peace, prosperity, and progress will find a place in Ogoni land. We must restore order in this land,” Senator Abe stated.
Earlier, Chairman of the Ogoni stakeholders’ meeting, Senator Ben Birabi had appealed to the leaders to own up to the failures of the past and chart a new direction for a better and prosperous future for the Ogoni to avoid the ethnic nationality being among the tribes that may be extinguished from the people of the world.
In his remark, convener of the meeting and Chairman, Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Gininwa said, it would be difficult to achieve any meaningful development in the area in an atmosphere devoid of peace; urging the youths, in particular, to embrace peace at all times.
