U.S. Conference Expands Ogoni Self-Government

Following two days of much deliberation on the Ogoni Self Government Declaration, the Ogoni people have reaffirmed that they will not stop half-way; until they are able to exercise in full, their Right to Political Autonomy as part of their effort to enforce the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), in Ogoniland.

At a conference held in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States of America titled: Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA) – The Way Forward; the Ogoni said a sub-council of OCIA has been formulated in the United States to collaborate with 272 village councils, 33 district councils and the national OCIA in Ogoniland.

Addressing the conference plenary at Glendale Main Library Meeting Room in Phoenix, on December 26, 2012, and also speaking at the conference technical session on December 27, 2012, MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo said he was very proud of the contributions by Ogonis in the United States who have worked so hard toward political autonomy; thus, upholding the primary vision of MOSOP.

Diigbo explained that the formation of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) came in the wake of the quest for Ogoni autonomy within Nigeria in 1990, written into the Ogoni Bill of Rights; adding: “we will continue to expand our base, and our endeavour will not end half-way.”

The United States OCIA Sub-Council is headed by Rep. John Adoo as the U.S. General Coordinator, Rep. Koida Ejire – OGEPA /Public Affairs Director, Rep. Menete Kogbara – Development Planning, Rep. Leba Idamkue– Economic Development Director, Rep. Helen Adoo - Finance Director, Rep. Richard Akpaloo- Director, Political Affairs, Rep. Serekara Adoo - Education Director, Rep. Francis Deemua –Director, Cultural traditions and Customs, and Rep. Andrew Bialo, Director of Collaboration with Institutions and NGOs.

Speaking after he inaugurated the body, MOSOP President Diigbo said the relevance of MOSOP activities in the United States of America rests on the ultimate vision of MOSOP – which is Political Autonomy. As part of public education, Diigbo presented a detailed unknown narrative of the origin of MOSOP dating back to 1987.

In his speech, the General Coordinator of OCIA in the United States, Rep. John Adoo urged all Ogonis in the U.S. and in Ogoniland to treat the enforcement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which has given the Ogoni people self-government as a matter of utmost priority. He pledged that his team would build alliances and increase networking activities to enhance more education among the Ogonis and others in the United States.

The United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 13, 2007, guided by the purposes and principles of international law in accordance with the United Nations Charter. On August 2, 2012, MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo formally declared self-government for the Ogoni people in Nigeria in order to enforce the UN Declaration.