RE: Alazua's position on Ogoni
Dear Editor:
I write with due respect to correct certain impressions expressed by Zubby Alazua, on Olarka Blade and Ogoni in particular. First, Ogoni refugees aren't fake considering the circumstances under which they left home. They wouldn't have been accepted by the United Nations and granted third country political asylum by America and some European nations if they weren't genuine. Those abroad especially America aren't refugees forever, but have become bona fide citizens once due, apply for change in immigration status and application approved.
Secondly, it isn't correct to insinuate that if Olarka Blade were to live in America he's bond to be English prudent or guru. There are millions of Americans-like Nigerians and even British-who don't understand proper English, though they have it as a first language. Also, no one is above mistake. Great writers make mistakes as they write; and these mistakes sometimes escape everyone and find their ways into print. Newspapers, Magazines, Television Scripts, textbooks and novels etc., aren't immune of errors.
I therefore think that criticizing or judging Blade's write-up primarily on grammatical or otherwise errors isn't the proper way to assess his angst. What should have been wiser to do is to look for statements of facts and biases. Of course, as Ogoni and pro its cause, it would be difficult for Blade to write about the actions of the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi without bias, though possible to be objective or fair, and accurate.
I wasn't at Bori but have asked those who were present at the 16th anniversary of the Ogoni-Day celebration what happened. I've also read newspaper reports and confirmed that Amaechi threw the Ogoni flag he was handed by young and innocent children at them. He also suggested Ogonis shouldn't chant their liberation song anymore. He was, however, interested in the Ogoni oil, claiming that development in the area has been done by using funds from other places without considering that Ogoni oil resources had been hyper-exploited for more than 35 years with nothing to show but a ruined and dying environment, poverty, diseases and human death.
His continuous mention of naming Ken Saro-Wiwa to roads in the state and the position mentioned aforesaid are to say the least vexing, disrespectful and insulting to Ogoni and its advocates. Saro-Wiwa and others were murdered unjustly for arousing the environmental and socioeconomic and political consciousness Niger River Delta and Nigeria in general have today. He didn't sacrifice his precious blood to be made a road sign, but that Ogoni/Niger Delta, Nigeria and Africa be free from oppression and death. But as usual the Nigerian government has continued to be insensitive to our plight yet expect different result.
The facts of Amaechi's rise to power are true, as raised by Blade. Same truth applies to the fraudulent ascending to power of President Yar'Adua, a trend that threatens the most sought democracy in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa. I watched the governor on CNN last week claiming that when he took office it was as if there wasn't government in place, yet he was the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. Inconsistencies such as the above doesn't help matters but set precarious precedent. There are lot more to discuss but for time. Let me point out another wrong impression before I rest my case in the interim. Ledum Mitee isn't the genuine activist you thought he's, but an undemocratic demagogue planted by government and the oil companies to derail the Ogoni struggle and also weaken the Niger Delta spirit at the behest of his precursors who granted him "cosmetic acquittal" at the Auta's Military Tribunal in 1995.
Though not elected by due process, he's usurp MOSOP leadership as a personal enterprise for 13 dark years with no sign of handing over to an elected leadership. He presently holds the position of economic adviser in Rivers State-a conflict of interest in MOSOP. As a lawyer he's refused bluntly to pursue justice by legal means for the Ogoni 9 and also refused to testify as principal witness in the Saro-Wiwa V. Shell case to commence Feb. 9, in New York. The outcome of the past technical committee which he was the chairman and about 29, 30 other Delta indigenes commissioned out of 47, and many others would further point to why he isn't in any manner conceivable representing the interest of Ogoni or Niger Delta. Feel free to check the book Ken Saro-Wiwa and MOSOP-The Story and Revelation (Ben Wuloo Ikari, 2006) for more on Ogoni and other relevant issues.
Lastly but not the least, the mistake Nigerians or other outsiders would make is to act as though they're more vast in the Ogoni struggle and dilemma than Ogonis. Let it be sounded loud and clear that Ogonis aren't settling for anything less than the implementation of the Ogoni Bill of Rights, which decrees political autonomy ( a state) as a minimum demand. Until the injustices meted on Ogoni is acknowledged, corrected by creating an Ogoni State or any arrangement by whatever name called, so long as it guarantees self-determination. Implying it must guarantee the control of Ogoni affairs (resources) by Ogonis. The retrial and consequent exoneration of Saro-Wiwa and others are addendum prerequisite if not the oilfields therein should be forgotten, unless government is ready to dig mass graves and larger prisons that will contain our people that will fight nonviolently with the last drop of their (our) blood.
Enough of the disrespect and insult! We've come of age and can't allow a child that threatens no harm but demanding equal right like other Nigerians to be conspicuously beaten to death. We must stand up and fight for justice if we need peace. According to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, when blood has been spilled there no going back. "At the ruins of the old greater stories shall be told."
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ben Wuloo Ikari.
Bariedoora@cs.com
