Ogoni Rejects Membership of Lower Niger Congress

In a letter to the leadership of the Congress, the President of the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, OCIA, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, says his attention was drawn to the information on the Lower Niger Congress website, indicating that the Ogoni Nation is among "some of the ethnic nations covering [convening] the Lower Niger Congress". We were not.

In his words: “On behalf of the Ogoni Nation, I hereby unequivocally state that the Ogoni Nation is not a member of the "Lower Niger Congress."

Diigbo further states: “However, the Ogoni Nation, under my leadership is willing to share experiences with the "Lower Niger Congress." For us, it’s been over 25 years. While we recognize some individual nations or groups listed as part of your congress, we do not see ourselves as the Ogoni people or the Ogoni Nation, as a Member of the "Lower Niger Congress."

“I have no doubt that you will succeed, if only you are determined to follow through your aspiration, no matter how long it takes,” Diigbo said.

The full text reproduced below: Dear Comrades: On behalf of the Ogoni Nation, I welcome the outcome of your congress held at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, April 27, 2015.

My attention was drawn to the information on your website, indicating that the Ogoni Nation is among "some of the ethnic nations covering [convening] the Lower Niger Congress". We were not.

On behalf of the Ogoni Nation, I hereby unequivocally state that the Ogoni Nation is not a member of the "Lower Niger Congress."

However, the Ogoni Nation, under my leadership is willing to share experiences with the "Lower Niger Congress." For us, it’s been over 25 years. While we recognize some individual nations or groups listed as part of your congress, we do not see ourselves as the Ogoni people or the Ogoni Nation, as a Member of the "Lower Niger Congress."

I have no doubt that you will succeed, if only you are determined to follow through your aspiration, no matter how long it takes.

Note, again, that the Ogoni Nation is not a Member of the "Lower Niger Congress."

Sincerely yours, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo President, Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority