Skip to main content

Ogonis Drag FG, Rivers Govt to UN over $300m Compensation from NNPCL


A former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, has dragged the federal and Rivers State governments to the United Nations, over the confiscation of $300million compensation funds released for the people of Ogoni over the oil deposit in their land.

Pyagbara who is also the Executive Director, African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), stated this while addressing the 54th session of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

The event is the ongoing 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the highest arm of the United Nations that deals with issues of human rights violations across the world.

The month long meeting began on the 11 September 11 and will end on October 13, 2023.

Pyagbara alleged that the $300million was released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in early 2023 as compensation to the people of Ogoni was being withheld by the Rivers State Government.

The former MOSOP leader called on the United Nations to take every necessary step to ensure that the money is paid to the Ogoni people, stressing that the current situation in Ogoniland resonates with the Report of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, EMRIP on Militarization, Investment and Threats.

The Ogoni leader also accused the federal government of failing to launch investigations into the killing of over 5,000 Ogoni sons and daughters by the military, and refusing to pay reparations for the lives that were lost due to the militarisation of Ogoniland.

He said: “The case of Ogoni people came into limelight in 1995, with the hanging of the leader of Ogoni and Environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists by the Nigerian government to protect the interest of Shell and their collaborators in Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government has not opened investigation into the killing of 5,000 Ogoni persons in the period when Ogoniland was militarised, leading to the killing of Ogoni nine and thereafter.

“The reparation programmes even as recommended by UN Secretary General’s Fact-finding Team to Ogoni, has not been done to the Ogoni people even at this moment. The expert mechanism report had highlighted reparation as one way to provide any redress.

“I urged the UN Human Rights Council to prevail on Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu, to release the sum of $300million paid by NNPC Ltd. through NPDC, as compensation to the people of Ogoni which is currently being held by the Rivers State Government.”

He urged the United Nations to blacklist governments and companies involved in militarizing indigenous people and territories with grave consequences on human rights and livelihoods.

Pyagbara also called for the blacklisting and denouncing of states, companies and governments involved in militarisation as a tool for climate change mitigation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sanwo-Olu's Mistress, Aisha Achimogu, Embarrassed At Wedding Of Governor's Daughter

Saturday, April 6, 2024, is a day that Ms. Aisha Achimogu, the mistress of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, won't forget easily. The birthday celebration of Ms. Achimogu in Grenada early in the year, attended by Governor Sanwo-Olu, sparked controversies.  Many residents and stakeholders accused the Governor of extravagantly spending millions of naira from the state government on the event. Therefore, when Ms. Achimogu was spotted at the wedding of Governor Sanwo-Olu's daughter, Modupeoreoluwa, a lawyer, to Oladele, it provided an opportunity for those who disapproved of her presence around the Governor to take action. The woman and her troop were said to have been stationed at No 9A McDonald in Ikoyi by Governor Sanwo-Olu. Sources at the event revealed that Ms. Achimogu was promptly asked to leave by some guests as soon as she was noticed. Reportedly, what angered them was Ms. Achimogu's audacity to attend the ceremony, especially in the presence of the Governor's ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How I Was Beaten Up By Boys In Canaanland, Ota, On The Orders Of An Italian- Man Laments

Mr. Victor, a welder from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, experienced a harrowing incident on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, while at work in Ota, Ogun State. While going about his daily duties at a construction company responsible for building the ark in Faith Tabernacle, also known as Winner's Chapel, Victor faced an unexpected altercation with his boss, an Italian man named Mr. Lucas. According to Victor, the altercation escalated when Mr. Lucas suddenly slapped him on the ear from behind, without any apparent provocation. Shocked by the unwarranted assault, Victor instinctively retaliated by delivering a slap in return.  However, the situation took a drastic turn when Mr. Lucas allegedly instructed some Nigerian boys to physically assault Victor in retaliation. Subsequently, Victor was subjected to a brutal beating by the group of assailants, resulting in severe injuries, including pores coming out of his ears. Since the incident, Victor has been struggling to recover both physical...
Post a Comment
Read more

Waliu Taiwo Not Fit to Represent Ogun West in the Senate – Stakeholders

As preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections gain momentum, political activities are heating up, with aspirants beginning to declare their intentions to contest various offices. In Ogun State, one of the emerging contenders for the Ogun West Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC) is Hon. Waliu Taiwo, Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission.  Taiwo reportedly seeks to replace Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Yayi, who is rumoured to have plans to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun after his second term. However, some political stakeholders and elders in the Ogun West Senatorial District are reportedly opposing Taiwo’s ambition, arguing that he is unfit to represent the area in the Senate. Sources within the APC claimed that these stakeholders believe Taiwo lacks the credentials, vision, and capacity required for such a position.  They accused him of being driven by personal interests rather than a genui...
Post a Comment
Read more