Hon Emmanuel Deeyah, a former member of the federal house of Representatives has been elected by the Ogonis to lead the Ogoni nationality to higher levels.
In his speech at the 2020 Ogoni Day Celebration, Hon Deeyah said many Ogoni leaders have paid the supreme price in the past in the struggle for the economic emancipation and political inclusiveness for the people of Ogoni nationality otherwise known as KAGOTE in Nigeria.
He enjoined his people to build on the achievements of past Ogoni heroes by forging a common front so as to address all forms of injustice that has stifled the growth and development of the area.
KAGOTE is the apex socio-cultural organization of Ogoni people who are in the four LGAs of Khana(KA), Gokana(GO), Tai(T) and Eleme(E) local government areas of Rivers state.
Deeyah said: “As we celebrate another Ogoni day, a historic date set aside to reminisce about our struggles for environmental rights, economic emancipation and political inclusiveness within the context of one Nigeria, it is important we reflect on the journey so far. Words will fail me to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of our heroes….they paid the supreme sacrifice!
The question we should ask ourselves who are living today is, how well, have we followed their precepts and footsteps? Will they be proud, wherever they are, that we have done enough to keep the flag of their lofty ideals flying? What could we have done better to realize the dreams and ideals set out in the Ogoni Bill of Rights?”
Deeyah noted that as the President of KAGOTE, he is prepare to lead the ethnic group to an admirable future and better position it in the socio-political realm of the country.
“We have just been elected to pilot the affairs of KAGOTE for the next three years; we pledge to do our utmost best. We are prepared to serve humbly and honestly. We implore all, big and small, men and women, youths and elders to join hands with us in this onerous task. To make sense of where we are, we need to critically look at where we are coming from; ask ourselves what were the issues that confronted our people which led to the struggle. It will be expedient to do a proper self-appraisal. Are the issues still relevant today? Have we made any progress? What can we do now to make an improvement on what we met? Although the Federal Government has inaugurated HYPREP with one of our illustrious, capable sons as head, their activities have been extremely slow. We will engage him, the management of this intervention and other stakeholders in due course.
“There is near absence of economic activities in Ogoni land which has encouraged insecurity and banditry. Our languages are almost extinct, our cultural practices adulterated. We plan to engage and work with our elders and Chiefs, including experts of Ogoni extraction to revive our languages and encourage literature.
“It will be necessary at this point to call on all of us to live peacefully with one another. We are predominantly Christians, as such, are familiar with the Bible passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1, paraphrased “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven….” We have finished elections and campaigns, so to my mind this is a season for less or needless confrontation, a season for governance, a season for strategic engagement, as such we should dwell less on our political affiliations, persuasions or divisions rather channel our energies to those things that will unite us and bring us together as a people, engender development, peace and progress to Ogoni land.
“Our Fathers and leaders in the past had different political affiliations and preferences but once they stepped into the room to discuss Ogoni, everyone left such dividing influences outside, we need to emulate them. We are the only ones that can emancipate ourselves and in turn, our people. I will therefore urge us all to unite for the purpose of the progress of our God given land. United we stand, divided we fall, but we cannot afford to fail. It is a promise, we will not fail.
“At the appropriate time we will encourage diligent and qualified sons and daughters of Ogoni land to vie for offices in the polity but we shall not be a campaign outfit or organ for any single individual or party. In doing so, and at the given time we would urge that all should conduct themselves in a civilized manner; respecting others’ freedom and liberties, observe and maintain acceptable boundaries in political contests. We have lost a lot and will not encourage any activity that will occasion further losses in human and/ or material resources.
“Let us be reminded that for Ogoni to achieve the present milestone(s), a lot of sacrifices were made by our heroes past, the present leaders and the people. We therefore seek your continuous cooperation. On our part we shall uphold the tenets, ideology and philosophy of our founding fathers. It is Ogoni, Ogoni and Ogoni all the way. We shall work cooperatively with the Governments at the State and Federal levels to improve the lots of our people.
“In the days ahead we intend to engage with and form strategic partnerships with the State and Federal Governments including relevant agencies to foster infrastructural and human capacity development in Ogoni land. We must not fail to thank Mr. President for initiating HYPREP and appointing our sons into various offices; they are His Excellency Ambassador Oji Ngofa, Mr. Joe Poroma, Dr. Marvin Dekil and our amiable daughter Gbene Dr. Joi Yimebe Nunieh ( the Esther of Ogoni) as the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC).
“Much praise and appreciation also goes to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State for the appointment of our sons and daughters into various positions of authority in his government. It is often said that the best way to ask for more is to show appreciation for what you have. On this note, we wish to again say thank you His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for the various projects you have initiated in Ogoni land and for embarking on projects that touch the lives of our people, not forgetting the ones we requested for during the last visit of Ogoni people to Government House. We count on your support and urge Your Excellency to do more, thank you and God bless,” he said.
