Greetings, compliment of the season and Happy New Year in advance!

Dear All,

Greetings, compliment of the season and happy new year in advance!

Lately, there have been comments on the most recent agitation for state creation, especially the creation of an OGONI STATE championed by NUOS Intl. USA. Before now, the Dr. Cyrus Gbene Nunieh's group made representions on behalf of Ogoni petitioning the creation of OGONI STATE, before the National Assembly and at other fora. Just a week ago, we also read of moves and works (by Dr. Anokari and his group )geared toward the demand for the OGONI STATE creation. All those involved in the recent OGONI STATE MOVEMENT are Ogonis-I sincerely appreciate them for their thoughtfulness and guts!

Importantly, clarifications as to whether the call for OGONI STATE within the context of Nigeria was in line with the Ogoni Demand as contained in its bill of rights, which authoritatively DEMANDS political autonomy, that grants control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people. Some had asked if the requested state would bear semblance as other states of Nigeria,that are either epileptic or parasitic.

Other commentators (Mr. B. Gumnwe, especially) suggested a neutral name aside of OGONI, for the petitioned state. In his view, he hinged on the fact that states' creation in Nigeria weren't a one day-easy thing, and that the already known states weren't created according to their ethnic numenclatures: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Ijaw, Ibibio, etc., therefore the likelihood that Ogoni would be an exception is slim. This is a thought to consider. The above and others may have been why Ken and others didn't expressly demand an OGONI STATE, but any arrangment that will guarantee a SEPARATE UNIT FOR OGONI.

Meanwhile, all those who've initiated concerted efforts to establish pressure for the creation of an OGONI STATE, as mentioned above are in perfect order. And, I'm certain that Ken, 8 others and the many unsang martyrs would be happy, at least that, we've gained deeper consciousness for self determination to wit the reason he and others decided to die for our freedom. Self determination was what our grandmaster, Paul Timothy Naakuu Birabi fought all his life for; Ken Saro-Wiwa who became influenced by the love, zeal, abilities, and unfinished works of Birabi took same struggle to a different height.

It's that level with spiritual backing that brought the long fought Ogoni struggle this far. We must not forget that this was the same struggle our forefathers fought and died for during the British invasion and conquest (between 1900 and 1909), a time that preceded the forceful AMALGAMATION OF THE SO-CALL SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN PROTECTORATES OF NIGERIA. Despite this conquest, our brave fathers refused to cede the Ogoni sovereignty to the then devilish British Crown and the new Nigeria. That kept theoritical and documented sovereignty is the factor, the strength on which we, newborn Ogonis and the unborn WILL FIGHT until we claim back OUR spiritual, physical and practical self governance which Ogoni had been known for before the British unsavory invasion. As said earlier, our efforts at championing this just and civic call for Ogoni STATE within the Nigerian framework are absolutely right.

We've indeed shown that commitment to actualizing the dreams of our forefathers, and of late, Ken Saro-Wiwa. And have as well exhibited deep LOVE for our people and land, hence its physical development and character. Having said the above, may I also state that Ken was a very wise man and so we're made wise by that and must remain wise. His intelligence prompted his curiosity, findings and landmark positions that would forever change Ogoni/Niger Delta,Nigeria, Africa, and by extension the world in general.

Therefore he had written: Therefore, while reaffirming our wish to remain a part of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we make demands upon the republic as follows:

That Ogoni be granted political autonomy to participate in the affairs of the repulic as a distinct and separate unit by whatever name called, provided that autonomy guarantees the following:

a. Political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people
b. The right and use of a fair proportion of Ogoni economic resources
for Ogoni development
c. Adequate and direct representation as of right in all Nigerian
national institutions.

Let me stop here, as the list above isn't unfamiliar but excerpt from the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR). It however stretch to the G alphabet, which reads: The right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation-very important.

What a man Ken was, what a document! He and other elders knew this demand is fair, just and wouldn't deprive any other ethnic group in Nigeria their rights.So we shouldn't worry or doubt the creation of an OGONI STATE OR A SEPARATE UNITY BY WHATEVER NAME CALLED. In short they were aware other ethnic nationalities and particularly the so-called majority of Nigeria have benefited by being the ethnic groups they're, like Ogoni. So, our demand for the creation of an OGONI STATE isn't out of place, never extraneous. Nigeria would learn how to do something new, that's, giving state status by ethnic naming. All that matters, my people is organizing; mounting pressure, lobbying; purposeful unity for this common course, which would work, if not now in the nearest future. We must not doubt our success, but commit to it; success has never being a wish but commitment! And we don't realize how much success we've in the making until we try some efforts.

We must stand up against whatever odd, bury our hatchets to achieve success. All the different groups (Gbene Nunieh's, NUOS and Anokari's) should seek means of merging into a formidable front, with the understanding and support from all and sundry. No doubt some people might be apathetic and not join. If there may be Ogonis of this class, I plead that you reconsider for OUR COMMON GOOD.

Also, while we're focusing on the name OGONI STATE, we could as well consider alternatives, in case our tribal name could suggest apprehension in the minds of those that wield power in Nigeria. Ogoni has no doubt become the epitome of the struggle for freedom, justice, peace, and the environment in Nigeria and the world today. As such, we could arm our selves with alternatives like: BUEN ZOR,FREEDOM,SUCCESS, PEACE, UNITY, BARI A MA; BARI-ODOO, BARINAADAA, OUR REDEEMER'S,EFEELOO OR JUSTIC STATE to allay whatever fears that may arise. There are other matching and ALL EMBRACING NAMES we could come up with.

If a state is giving to Ogoni today it WILL no doubt become the springboard on which success and growth WILL come-we need this growth!
I must also caution that any state "by whatever name called" that doesn't guarantee the benefit of complete Ogoniness, self rule or control by Ogoni, for Ogoni people, and resource control etc., isn't the actual OGONI DEMAND AS ENSHRINED IN THE OBR. We're however open and willing to dialogue and so may not opt out of any state arrangement that isn't entirely an Ogoni affairs. Such state may or not be seen as one of the saprophagous, saprophytic types we've today in Nigeria. States in Nigeria are actually given according to ethnicity (same people), except in Rivers State and other Niger Delta Region where about 15 different ethnic groups have been severally lumped together.

Cases in point: Ogonis aren't mixed with the Yoruba people in any state, Hausa not mixed up with the Andoni, Igbo or Ikwere people; neither are the Benue people corralled with the Ibibio people. All Hausa state: Kano, Taraba, Kaduna, etc are purely Hausas; Oyo, Osun, Ogun states and others are purely Yorubas; Abia, Anambra, Imo, and others are purely Igbos as well, while Akwa-Ibom and Cross Rivers States are truly Ibibio people. The bulk of the about 36 states of Nigeria are shared amongst the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Therefore, Ogoni must not limit itself in aspiring for state creation. If the name Ogoni state is used and we're one day granted, that might be it for us, as we only have one Ogoni and no more. We'd be decisively told we've one Ogoni and so can't create two states or more out of one Ogoni, and that argument would be sound. That's the reason we need to rethink fast and alternate the NAME OGONI STATE FOR SOMETHING NEUTRAL.

Ogoni has to be self determined like the other ethnic nationalities with a multiplicity of states. We must not ask for anything less than the NATIONAL CAKE, it should be more as we've contributed more, both in physical resources and blood, while others who have benefited from this cake contributed very little if not nothing.

Finally, our struggle for political autonomy and especially self determination will continue in a situation where we're not given a state that's strictly Ogoni. There has to be A SEPARATE UNIT FOR OGONI, BY WHATEVER NAME CALLED. In any case, Ogonis must wake up to the call and become part of history as we journey to the promise land. We must rise to the challenges of the 21st century. We can't trust HOPE and sit tight without putting selves to task. By my philosophy, hope without work, like "faith without work" is death! I'm convinced we don't want to die but live. We must be alert to keeping Ken's dream alive. "I dreamt of an Ogoniman ruling himself, and that dream shall never die," Ken Saro-Wiwa.

Therefore, those who haven't signed the petition should purse for a minute and think. Or should we also expect America, European countries/Union or the United Nations, angels to lobby our state for us, something we can do considering our struggle and pains? My people, I salute and charge you all, join the OGONI STATE CREATION TODAY AND LAUGH BIG TOMORROW, PLEASE!

Thank you.

Truly,

Ben Wuloo Ikari.

Web hosting by Web.com