Dec 28, 2005

Ogoni: Kagote Comes Alive After 12 Years


A socio-cultural organisation in Ogoniland, Kagote, which gave birth to the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) held its first annual convention yesterday after 12 years.

A socio-cultural organisation in Ogoniland, “Kagote”, which gave birth to the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) held its first annual convention yesterday after 12 years.

Kagote became inactive shortly after the outbreak of the Ogoni crisis, which followed the death of four prominent leaders of Ogoni in 1994, and the eventual killing of the Ogoni nine in 1995.

Addressing the convention, which took place at Bodo City in Gokana Local Government Area, the chairman of the occasion, Prof Alex Monsi of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, Port Harcourt, commended the initiative to revive ‘Kagote”, and said the organisation should work with all recognised viable institutions to bring growth and development to Ogoniland.

Prof Monsi, a former deputy vice chancellor of the institution, described the theme of the convention, “moving Ogoni forward”, as appropriate. as it projects the organisation as an authentic vehicle for the development and transformation of Ogoniland.
In his words, “this thematic motif, in my view, has been very well chosen as a wake up chime for a comatose giant to start moving again”.

Prof Monsi further said that for the desire of the organisation to be achieved, the people must jettison their individual interests for the collective interest of the Ogoni nation.

“We certainly have individual and collective roles and responsibilities in the process and efforts to re-establish, re-found, rebuild, rehabilitate and re-install our dear father-land on the debris of dashed hopes, aspirations, dreams and missions of our well-intentioned progenitors”, he said.

In his address of welcome, the President of Kagote, Justice P.B.Akere (rtd) said that the organization, which came into inception in the early 70s, was formed to promote the quest of the Ogonis for political relevance, economic and social security.
Justice Akere further commended the state Governor, Dr Peter Odili, for rehabilitating hospital facilities in Ogoni, but however, noted that the organisation will initiate dialogue with the government, with the view to ensuring that physical facilities in the hospitals are renovated, while drugs are provided.

The Kagote president commended the people for their massive turn out for the convention, but emphasised the need for their unflinching support to enable the organisation regain its lost glory as the mouth-piece of Ogoni people.

He condemned the resurgence of violence between B-Dere and Biara communities, and urged the government to set up a commission of inquiry into the crisis.

The convention was attended by traditional rulers, chiefs, opinion leaders and others.

Source: Tide News