NATIONAL UNION OF OGONI STUDENTS
(NUOS INTL), USA
3116 W.DEVON
AVE; SUITE #204
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60659
www.nuos-ogoni.org ~ nous.intl@gmail.com ~ 773.250.7004
August 9, 2007
His Excellency Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street, Ottawa, K1A OA2, Canada
His Excellency Prime Minister Harper:
Letter of Appreciation to the Government and People of
Canada for their magnanimity to Ogoni People of Nigeria
Ogoni people and Students and in the Diaspora bothered by the crisis in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, held a conference
on July 07, 2007 at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. The theme was “Resolving Nigeria’s Niger Delta Crisis.”
A copy of the communiqué is attached. The magnanimity shown to the Ogoni people of Nigeria by various peoples and governments
during the Shell Oil Company and Nigerian Government Invasion of Ogoni between 1993 and 1995 was discussed. Your government
and people were amongst those who assisted Ogoni then and are still assisting Ogoni now with “third country” resettlement.
On this note, we, the Ogoni Students under the
auspices of the National Union of Ogoni Students (NUOS INTL.), USA do on behalf of ourselves, Ogoni refugees and the entire
Ogoni nationality write to thank the government and people of Canada for the humane assistance – distribution of relief
materials to affected Ogoni villages, food supplies to Ogonis who were refugees, and resettlement of Ogonis to Canada during
the militarization of Ogoniland by Gen. Sani Abacha.
We are
particularly grateful to you for saving our lives from the hands of the Nigerian government and Shell Oil Company whose intent
was to exterminate Ogoni after the barbaric, unjust and judicial murder by hanging of Ken Saro Wiwa and 8 other Ogoni compatriots
on November 10, 1995.
Proudly, most Ogonis resettled in Canada are now citizens and are contributing meaningfully
to the economy; while taking advantage of educational and other opportunities available.
We would also use this medium to appeal to the government of Canada to intervene in the crisis
in the Nigerian Delta Region. This could be approached by initiating a mission to Ogoni and the delta area. This is important
because the crisis is beyond an internal crisis. It involves the Nigerian government, Shell Oil Company and the local Ogoni
and delta communities. As you are aware, the struggle of the region is about self- determination hinged on environment, economic,
social and political justice.
Importantly,
we respectfully and humbly appeal to the government of Canada to resettle more Ogoni refugees (numbering about 3,000) stranded
in Republic of Benin, Sierra Leone, Cote De Voire and other African Countries. They have genuine fears and have no means of
livelihood, no homes to return to since their total displacement by the Nigerian government between 1993 and 1996. These are
people with diverse skills that will be of benefit to the economy of your great nation.
It is also our hope that your leading role on global issues particularly human rights
and the environment will not slip by Nigeria and other nations that continually hold their citizens hostage.
Once again, our heart is full of appreciation for your kind gesture
towards Ogoni and its environment. We and our progenies shall ever remain appreciative of your magnanimity.
Thank you for accepting this appreciation.
Yours Sincerely,
KorneBari Nwike
Austin Lemea
President
Secretary
Lambert Deebom
Director,
Publicity and Mobilization
Cc: Ottawa Citizen
Toronto Star
Vancouver Sun
