We’ll not secede, Ogoni leaders tell Jonathan

LEADERS of the Ogoni people in Rivers State have dissociated themselves from the recent declaration of independence by elements of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), saying that they are committed to the unity of the country.

A delegation of the leaders, which included traditional rulers, political office holders, members of the academia, among others, led by Senator Magnus Abe, met with President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, in State House, Abuja, where they presented a position paper to him.

The meeting was a reaction to the declaration of political autonomy for Ogoni people in August by a factional president of MOSOP, Dr Goodluck Diigbo.

But, according to Senator Abe, Ogoni people remained committed to the unity and continued existence of Nigeria, which, he said, has the potentials of a great nation and neeeds support.

According to him, "though Ogoni has always supported the call for devolution of power to local entities to reflect true federalism, upon which the Nigerian nationhood is anchored, we wish to assure you Mr President and indeed, assure the Nigerian people that Ogoni remains committed to the unity of the Nigerian state and that we are with Nigeria, which is contrary to recent media report on Ogoni.

"We are also asking for the economic and social integration of the Ogoni people through special development initiatives."

Abe, who spoke to State House corespondents after the meeting with the president, observed that Ogoni people identified with President Jonathan's efforts to provide good leadership and his commitment to overcome the various challenges facing the country, including security.

Speaking on their mission to State House, the lawmaker said it was necessary to point out the concerns of the people to the president, especially the length of time it had taken to commence the implementation of the report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the Ogoniland.

He stressed the need for the full implementation of the report and for the $1billion recommended to wholly utilised in the area.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, who also spoke to State House correspondents on issues raised during the meeting, noted that the president assured members of the delegation that his government was working on the issues they had raised.