Mandela Day Declared In Ogoniland “First Sunday In December”

The Ogoni people today, December 8, 2013 declared the First Sunday in December as Mandela Day to be observed annually.

The Day was adopted by general acclamation and proclamation at an interdenominational thanksgiving service held in Teyork, Ogoniland, in honor of activist Nelson Mandela, who had transited on late Thursday, December 5, 2013.

During his presentation on: Ogoni Struggle and the South African Example, MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo told audience that Mandela believed more in the lasting value of freedom than prospects of material acquisition offered him by his legal profession.

“I believe that activism requires the best minds, such as exhibited by Mandela, and those who must engage in it, must possess irrevocable will, to work for the common good,” Diigbo asserted.

“I have questioned the direction of those spearheading the lobby for implementation of UNEP report on Ogoniland, as they seem to ignore that such a document must first undergo proper review, especially joint stakeholders' evaluation; to ensure complete legal, technical and scientific compliance,” Diigbo stated.

Diigbo said: “the Ogoni people will use Mandela Day to learn more about the activism, beliefs and life of the former South African President; celebrate his work and legacy as a source of guidance and inspiration.”

Also speaking, the Administrator of Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA), Ms. Christiana Nwiko, a school teacher, said the effort to secure freedom for the Ogoni people has many similarities with the struggle against Apartheid White Minority regime in South Africa. “This, for me,” she said, “makes Mandela a good case study by the Ogoni people.”

In his sermon, a clergyman, Pastor Lenu Ayeko, reminded Ogonis that Mandela and fellow South Africans persevered in faith, but that faith without the required long endurance and efforts; means submission to slavery and permanent bondage.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People and the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authorityhelped to organize the event in cooperation with the Council of Ogoni Churches, Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers Association, and ten other MOSOP affiliate-bodies as well as leaders of traditional religions.

The service was moderated by the MOSOP Secretary-General, Hon. Dum Ade John Budam.