PRESS RELEASE BY NATIONAL UNION OF OGONI STUDENTS INTL, USA

EXTRACT:  “…we want to use this opportunity to sound it loud and clear, that no amount of appeasement or negotiation will bring Shell Oil Company into Ogoniland.”

PRESS RELEASE

NATIONAL UNION OF OGONI STUDENTS
(NUOS INTL, USA)
3116 W. DEVON AVE STE# 204
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60659
www.nuos-ogoni.org ~ [email protected] ~ 773.250.7004

September 16, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

We, members of the National Union of Ogoni Students USA on behalf of ourselves, organization and the entire Ogoni community are exhilarated by the United Nations declaration and adoption of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights during their 61st plenary session.

We therefore state as follows:

1. We commend the United Nations and particularly the General Assembly for their foresightedness. The adoption of the declaration on the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights demonstrates that the United Nation is now moving towards a “Peoples Assembly” rather than an assembly that represents heads of governments, corporations, the rich and the affluent. The declaration further vindicates Ken Saro Wiwa in his championship of minority Rights.

2. The adoption of the document on the Rights’ of Indigenous Peoples’ demonstrates that the United Nations have not only recognized the plights of the Indigenous Peoples’ but their rights to their cultural heritage, education, health care, resources control and environment. It demonstrates that the survival of the  indigenous peoples’ are now in the heart of the United Nations.

3. This declaration demonstrates an end to oppression, strangulation, slavery and marginalization of Indigenous peoples’ around the world. One thing is certain, without the swift implementation of decisions reached today; this declaration could be buried in bureaucratic bottleneck whilst indigenous people continue to stifle. We, therefore humbly appeal to the Human Rights Commission and other agencies responsible for the implementation and defense of Human Rights to swiftly device plans on how to oversee Indigenous Peoples’ demand for self- determination.

4. The declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ document A/61/L.67 not only empowers; but supports Ogonis in their agitation for a minimum of Statehood. It compels Nigeria to respect such fundamental and legitimate demand. We therefore encourage Nigeria to embrace the declaration by striking down the Land Use decree as a first step and creating a state for the Ogoni people.

5. We therefore encourage Ogonis, friends and supporters from all periphery of life to rally round Ogoni demand for a STATE starting November 2007. Ogonis should be prepared to lean voices and participate in the Niger Delta Marshall plan chaired by Nigeria’s Vice President – Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. If we keep mute we lost.Ogoni Bills of Rights (OBR) and resources control should form the bases of an Ogoni input.

6. Again, we want to use this opportunity to sound it loud and clear, that no amount of appeasement or negotiation will bring Shell Oil Company into Ogoniland. 

7. We shall demand our Rights fervently, non-violently and we shall win. The declaration is a victory for the hundredths’ of oppressed indigenous nationalities around the world. “If we stick together, we are all winners, success is a community effort.”

Signed:                                                                          

KorneBari Nwike                                                         Austin Lemea
(President)                                                                       (Secretary)

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