NATIONAL UNION OF OGONI STUDENTS
(NUOS INTL, USA)
3116 W. DEVON AVE,
SUITE #204
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60659
www.nuos-ogoni.org ~ nuos.intl@gmail.com ~ 773.250.7004
July 14, 2007
His Excellency, Dr. Boni Yayi
President du Republic of Benin
Cotonou, Republic du Benin
Throu;
His Excellency, Segbe Cyrille Oguin
Embassy of the Republic of Benin, Chancery: 2124 NW Kalorama
Road,
Washington, DC 20008
His Excellency Dr. Boni Yayi:
LETTER
OF GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BENIN FOR THEIR MAGNANIMITY TOWARDS THE PEOPLE OF OGONI,
NIGERIA
The National Union of Ogoni Students
International (NUOS INTL) USA held a thoughtful conference in Kansas City, Missouri, July 07, 2007 on “Resolving Nigeria’s
Niger Delta conflict.” A copy of the communiqué is attached. An item on the agenda was the magnanimity of the
government and people of Benin Republic towards Ogoni refugees since 1995 to date.
We hereby write to thank the government of Benin Republic and her citizens for their
hospitality to Ogonis from the inception of the crisis that saw the first batch of Ogoni refugees in 1995 to the present day.
The conduct of the government and people of Benin demonstrates that the African culture of hospitality and respect for humanity
is still intact in some African nations.
Recall, Ogonis became refugees and asylum seekers after they broke with the status quo, stood-up non-violently in demand
for an end to Shell Oil Company and Nigerian governments’ injustices and utter neglect of Ogonis and its environment.
For daring to confront the hazardous business practices and double standards of Shell Oil company in Nigeria, Ken SaroWiwa
was judicially murdered, 30 Ogoni villages flattened (with no thought to rebuilding any till date). Ogoni human and environmental
activists were hounded like common criminals through a military operation tagged “Operation cleansing/Sanitization of
Ogoniland.” This non-violent approach was cherished by civilized nations; yet negligibly few could help as much as the
Republic of Benin.
Between 1993 and 1997 many Ogonis
were arrested, tortured, maimed, killed and women sexually assaulted and raped by the armed forces of Nigeria. To show the
world how justice is conducted in Nigeria, the military government of Gen. Sani Abacha set up a military tribunal to try Ogoni
leaders for murder and obstructing the free flow of crude oil from Ogoni. Shell oil company was represented in that trial.
The trial was fraudulent and condemned around the world.
Information from Ogoni was censored. To conclude
“Operation Sanitization” on November 10th, 1995 Mr. Kenule Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders
were hanged by the government of Nigeria and Shell Oil Company against international plea and condemnation.
If Nigeria can fraudulently hang Mr. Kenule Saro – Wiwa, a man
that brought victory during the Nigerian Civil War; a man that served the country in several capacities
of government at both State and federal levels, what is the fate of the ordinary Ogonis? To prevent the complete extinction
of the Ogoni race, very many Ogonis ran to neighboring countries such as yours for refuge.
This noble and heroic
act herald awareness amongst the Niger Delta peoples and other oppressed peoples of the world, yet the price is almost completely
borne by the Ogoni people.
We have not forgotten that your people
and government saved Ogoni from total extinction. You accommodated us at great political and personal risk to your country
and people. When the enemies infiltrated our camps, you were there to give us security.
We, in most cases, out
of ignorance trampled upon your cherished culture; yet you forgave our ignorance. We and our progenies shall ever be
thankful to the good people of the Republic of Benin for being our refuge and shelter during a period of travail. Much as
we thank you, we pray, this relationship should transcend beyond refugees and asylum level.
We may not be able to conclude this word of gratitude without reference to the thousands
of Ogoni people still seeking political asylum in your country. They still have well founded fears that require the attention
of the international community. For instance, over thirty Ogoni villages that were flattened by the Abacha military between
1993 and 1996 remain unbuilt. Threats to their lives in Ogoni and the Niger Delta region still exist. The Shell Oil company
sponsored war against opponents of its methods of operation is not over yet. For the aforementioned reasons and others, we
use this opportunity to implore your government to grant asylum status to Ogonis who are scattered in villages in your country.
As we appeal to the United States of America, and Canada to assist in resettling these persecuted Ogonis, we count on your
support and of your government with the issuance of status.
On behalf of the people of Ogoni and Students, we thank you earnestly for your patience with our people, your protection
and magnaminity.We shall ever live to remember your contributions to the Ogoni survival.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
KorneBari Nwike (President)
Austin Lemea (Secretary)
Lambert Deebom (Director of Publicity & Mobilization)
