…Proffers Solution for Sustainable Peace
The Mene Sirabarabateera 1 of Ogoni, High Chief Solomon Ndigbara (JP), has commended the various efforts by the Federal Government in ensuring that peace return to Ogoniland following the violence that occurred in some parts of the area recently.
Speaking to newsmen over the weekend on the return of peace, Chief Ndigbara, who is an Ambassador of Peace, said he is happy that both the State and federal governments of Nigeria have hearkened to his voice by ensuring that the people of Ogoni can now heave a sigh of relief.
“The peace came as a result of what I told the State and Federal government through the media, and I’m happy that it finally came to be what the people are enjoying today.
“I don’t know why some Chiefs kept silence when there’s violence in their dormain. I don’t know who’s pushing the boys to commit actrocities in the land, but I can assure you that peace has returned to the once troubled communities and security has been beefed up in the area”, High Chief Ndigbara said.
On how the peace in the area can be sustained, High Chief Ndigbara said each of the boys who were involved in the Violence should take oath that will be jointly administered by all Ogoni Communities, not from a particular Community, adding that they should vow not to indulge in any act of violence or criminality henceforth.
According to him, ” the boys will also sign an undertaken with the security agencies, with their passport attached to it, in accordance with the tradition of the land. I think that is the way peace will be sustained in the area for now.”
He further appealed to all those arming the youths to cause violence and engage in various acts of criminality to desist forthwith.
On issue of oil resumption in Ogoniland, the Ex-agitator said the discussion on such development should be broad based, saying as a member of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP, he is aware that there are basic things that should be done, as enshrined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
He explained that the oil resumption in Ogoniland can not be decided by only one person or group, but will be agreed upon by the relevant authorities and the Ogoni people themselves.
High Chief Ndigbara, while reiterating the need to clean all oil polluted Communities in Ogoni, said the current manner the relevant Government agencies are carrying out the Cleanup process will not achieve desired objective. He described the exercise as a mirage, decrying a situation where certain persons deliberately exclude others from the process as unhealthy and unproductive.
The Ogoni leader again assured the people and Government that he will continue to do his best to ensure Ogoni land is peaceful, united and developed, calling on other leaders in the area to be more concerned about the good of the people.
