Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People in the United States of America (MOSOP-USA,) has called on the federal government to immortalise and exonerate foremost environmentalist, Kenule Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogonis who were hanged to death on November 10, 1995.
According to Leadership, MOSOP-USA, in a communique made available in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, also called on the federal government to declare November 10 every year as a public holiday.
The communique, which was signed by the president of the organisation, Elder Augustine DineBari Kpuinen and two others, said the people of Ogoni remain committed to the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) submitted to the federal government on October 2, 1990.
It reads in part: “That we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately exonerate and immortalize these brave men who were unjustly executed without any fair judicial process on November 10, 1995.
“That the federal government should declare November 10 every year as a public holiday in Nigeria in support of human rights and justice. The day should be declared Human Rights Day in Nigeria
“That the Ogoni People remain committed to the Ogoni Bill of Rights (OBR) submitted to the FGN on October 2nd, 1990, because it addresses all facets of our demands for environmental restoration, economic advancement, and self-determination among others.
“MOSOP-USA observed that herdsmen with cattle are destroying Ogoni farms, raping our women, kidnapping and killing Ogoni people, and destroying Ogoni forests and vegetation.
“MOSOP-USA is calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Rivers State government to take immediate steps aimed at withdrawing herdsmen and their cattle from Ogoni farms and villages.
“After using our mineral resources for 64 years to develop other parts of the nation, leaving Ogoni in a heavily polluted environment with the worst drinking water in the world according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report, it is inconceivable and heartless to still use our land as a grazing field for cattle.
“MOSOP-USA cannot stand watching our women being raped and killed, food and crops, forests and vegetation being used as feed for cattle grazing.
“MOSOP-USA believes that it is the primary responsibility of the government to provide electricity, clean water, good roads, hospitals, educational institutions, and security to Ogoni if Ogoni is still considered part of Nigeria.