By APN News Desk,
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has endorsed the ongoing dialogue between the Nigerian government and the Ogoni people, expressing hope that the process will help resolve more than three decades of disputes linked to oil exploration in Ogoniland.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an Ogoni National Congress held at the MOSOP Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, Rivers State. The communiqué was jointly signed by MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, and Secretary-General, Alex Akori.
The congress, attended by community leaders, traditional rulers, youth and women’s groups, politicians, students and professionals, welcomed discussions being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser through the Ogoni Dialogue Committee.
Participants said that after 33 years, it was time to pursue lasting solutions to the conflict between the Ogoni people and Nigeria’s oil industry, expressing optimism that the dialogue would produce agreements beneficial to all parties.
The congress also urged the Federal Government to ensure that any agreements reached through the dialogue process are implemented transparently and in good faith.
Delegates condemned rising inter- and intra-community conflicts in Ogoniland, calling on all parties to embrace peaceful dialogue and reconciliation to prevent further tensions.
The congress further appealed to Ogoni communities to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness as essential ingredients for sustainable development.
Participants also expressed concern over the activities of herders in Ogoni communities and directed the MOSOP leadership to engage leaders of the northern community in Rivers State to seek a peaceful resolution of the issue.
The dialogue between the Federal Government and the Ogoni people is aimed at addressing longstanding grievances arising from oil exploration, environmental degradation and broader development concerns in Ogoniland, a region in Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta.
