OGONI SELF-GOVERNMENT CHARGED TO TAP NATURAL RESOURCES

President of the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, who described the level of poverty in Ogoniland, as intolerable has told newly sworn-in governors of the Ogoni Nation, to tap natural resources in the homeland, in order to finance their autonomous functions, and create economic opportunities for their fellow citizens.

Oath-taking ceremonies took place across the Ogoni nation on Saturday, September 3, 2016 with ten governors and their deputies sworn into office. A total number of nine women - two governors, and seven of them deputy governors. While, men won eight governorship seats, and three captured deputy positions.

The ceremonies marked the end of a six-month long political restructuring, documentation, and elections of representatives to the Ogoni District Central Assembly and provincial chief executive councils. Customary court judges and ministers drawn from the Council of Ogoni Churches officiated the ceremonies at the provincial capitals. Ogonis from local communities attended the events to reaffirm their support for the Ogoni Self-Government, declared August 2, 2012.

In his congratulatory remarks sent to the provincial capitals, President of the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, OCIA, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo urged the governors to put the interest of Ogoni first, while, treating other Nigerians as equal to the Ogoni people.

“I urge you, to go to work and put the interest of Ogoni first. To contribute to the strengthening of the Ogoni political status; organize your fellow citizens to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. For that is central in the exercise of our right to autonomy or self-government. Carry every child, man, and woman along. In that way, you can make progress, achieve development, and promote justice in your provinces,” Diigbo said.

“As ways and means to finance your autonomous functions, I ask you as governors, to put to use, the natural resources in your provinces, and create economic opportunities for your fellow Ogoni citizens. Doing so, in the spirit of fulfilling the relevant provisions contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” Diigbo said.

Special representatives of the OCIA President, delivered his remarks, while the President of the Council of Ogoni Churches, Rev. Sir. Mike Ibirah sworn in the governor of Bori Province in Bori – the Ogoni Nation’s capital.

At the end of the events, the governors and their deputies posed for photo-up with campaign teams and close supporters.

Those sworn in are: Babbe - Mene Letaaga Noah – Governor; Ban Ogoi - Mene Fineface Bugila – Governor and Hon. Mrs. Love Asiganebari – Deputy; Bori - Mene Baribefii Godwin Mbekee – Governor and Hon. Mrs. Patience Bête – Deputy; Buaba - Hon. Mrs. Dornu Nwikina – Governor and Mene Barile Nwiiwogo – Deputy; Buanyo - Hon. Mrs. Lily Naalubue – Governor and Mene Barika John – Deputy; Eleme - Emere Hope Nkani - Governor; Gokana - Mene Samuel Zortee – Governor and Rev. Chaplain Joseph I. T. Gbode – Deputy; Kenkhana - Mene Gbenekanu Yorko – Governor and Hon. Mrs. Keanyiabaridoo Elijah – Deputy; Nyokhana - Mene Lucky Nwibakpo – Governor and Hon. Mrs. Beatrice Nwinee – Deputy; Tai - Pastor Augustine Nkerelo – Governor and Hon. Mrs. Dinah Asaabue – Deputy.

Tambari Deekor, Public Affairs Offficer
Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, OCIA, [email protected]