As the Ogoni Ethnic Nationality and indeed Rivers state continue to mourn the gruesome murder of their illustrious sons and martyrs (late Chief Edward Nnaa Kobani, Mr. Albert Tombari Badey, Chief Samuel Orange and Chief Theophilus Orange) 31 years ago, a group under the aiges of Ogoni Development & Democracy Forum (ODDF) has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immortalize and as well compensate the quadruple bereaved families for the loss of their loved ones who paid the supreme prize in course of the continuous struggle to liberate their people.
In a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, to mark the 31st year remembrance of the cold blooded murder, the Convenor of the group, Mr Legborsi Saro Pyagbara said they share in the pains and sympathize with the bereaved families and pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, adding that it is their conviction that the Ogoni heroes fought a good fight and would remain tall even in death.
“It is an undeniable fact that these heroes saw injustice perpetrated against our people by the duo of the Federal Government in slick alliance with SPDC and join forces with other Ogoni leaders to champion the Ogoni struggle on the principle of Non-violence and articulate peaceful advocacy which earned us global recognition and unprecedented support across the world. They indeed fought for the restoration of our environment”; he said.
The group used the opportunity to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s to conduct an inquiry into the role of the security agents in the events of May 21, 1994 that led to the brutal murder of their illustrious sons.
The group also called on the Ogonis to forgive one another, unite and work together to ensure that the death of their fallen heroes would not have been in vain.
The group through Mr. Pyagbara who is the Executive Director of African Indigenous Foundation For Energy & Sustainable Development said “the greatest honour and legacy to give to the fallen heroes is for us to work relentlessly for the attainment of the yet to be achieved goals of the struggle including remaining vigilant to oversee the proper implementation of the Ogoniland Remediation Project which is one of the fruits of the struggle for which they laid their lives”; he declared.
Mr Legborsi Pyagbara also called on the authorities concerned to call on Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) to order as their provocative activities, if not checked, is capable of threatening public peace in their base at Akwa Ibom State.
Hé explained that the company allegedly forced their way into a community known as Ikot Inyang Okob situated in Mkpat Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State, as they allegedly invaded plots of land belonging to the community and started its business activities including laying of oil pipelines that have polluted the environment with its consequences to lives and property without consultation or compensation to the people. He added that the development has provoked the youths of the community to action but for the quick intervention of the elders.
