Ogoni Self Government Enters A Higher New Level

Ogonis are to elect their own president and eight provincial governors before the end of 2014 as part of moves to take the Ogoni self-government to a higher new level.

The Ogoni National Legislative Assembly has also adopted a resolution to pave way for local entrepreneurs to collaborate with foreign investors in order to directly exploit wealth and natural resources in Ogoniland.

The President /Spokesman of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Dr. Goodluck Diigbo who announced the electoral plans and investment strategy, said the measures were necessary to bring about the economic and political empowerment of the Ogoni people.

Addressing the people on Saturday, August 2, 2014 to mark the 2nd anniversary of the Ogoni Self-Government Declaration at Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace and Freedom Center, Bori, Diigbo said the Ogoni self-government run by the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA), spent its first two years building institutions and capacity.

He said the six kingdoms of Ogoni – Babbe, Eleme, Gokana, Ken-Khana, Nyo-Khana and Tai, as well as the two other divisions known as national territory and Ban Ogoi have transformed into eight provinces, each to be headed by a governor, while OCIA will get a president.

Diigbo said elections for these important executive positions are open to all Ogoni people at home and in overseas, without any restriction, saying, tax clearance would not be required.

Other new measures include setting up of three standing funds – Freedom Fund, Peace and Security Fund and Development Fund.

The MOSOP Spokesman announced that under the indigenous authority, Village Councils have been authorized to reasonably equip themselves to act in self defence, when circumstances demand.

In addition, Diigbo said that the Ogoni Peace and Security Council has been transformed into Peace, Security and Self-Defence Council in order to regulate activities of village self-defence councils

For the first time, a minimum budget of USD 640,000 has been earmarked for each of the provinces without ceiling on the amount each province may decide budget for itself, Diigbo concluded.

This year, the self government declaration anniversary, which is the second in a row, was expanded to last for a week, including different religious and civic programs hosted by cities, towns and villages across Ogoni.

Dr. Goodluck Diigbo
MOSOP President /Spokesman