President Tinubu Urged to Consider Creating Ogoni State in Nigeria
A diaspora-based group known as the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People in the United States of America (MOSOP-USA) has expressed its strong belief that the Ogoni people are long overdue for their own state within the Nigerian federation. The group has called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action in addressing the challenges faced by the Ogoni region by supporting the creation of Ogoni state, thereby increasing the number of states in Nigeria to 37.
The Ogoni people, who reside in the south-eastern senatorial district of Rivers State, have been vocal in their struggle for self-determination and equitable treatment within the Nigerian political landscape. The group emphasized the need for President Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the Ogoni people have the autonomy to govern their own affairs and benefit from the abundance of resources within their homeland.
In a recent statement, the President of MOSOP-USA, Dinebari Augustine Kpuinen, highlighted the alleged marginalisation of the Ogoni people and stressed the importance of granting them the opportunity to assert control over their own development. The group also urged President Tinubu to initiate an investigation into the purported misappropriation of funds by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, intended for the development of the Ogoni region.
On a separate note, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) recently received a favorable ruling from the Appeal Court regarding its operatorship of the Oil Mining License 11 (OML 11), which has allowed for the resumption of crude oil production in the Ogoni region after a prolonged hiatus.
The call for the creation of Ogoni state and the subsequent resumption of oil production within the region are significant developments that warrant the attention of the Nigerian government and other relevant stakeholders. It is imperative for President Tinubu to acknowledge and address the legitimate concerns raised by the Ogoni people and work towards finding a sustainable solution that promotes their overall well-being and inclusion within the Nigerian federation.
In conclusion, the voices advocating for the creation of Ogoni state, both at home and abroad, serve as a testament to the unwavering determination of the Ogoni people to achieve self-determination and equitable treatment. President Tinubu and the Nigerian government must heed these calls and take proactive measures to address the longstanding grievances of the Ogoni people, thereby fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society.
