President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari was on Friday at Presidential Villa,
conferred with a chieftaincy title, `Menedolenu’ of Ogoni by the
traditional ruler of Ogoni land, His Royal Majesty, King G.N.K Gininwa.
The conferment was the highlight of a visit to Buhari by a delegation of the leaders of Ogoni land led by Gininwa.
Speaking to State House correspondents shortly after the event,
Sen.Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers State South-East) said that essence of the
visit was to thank President Buhari for his gestures towards Ogoni
people.
“We are supporting the president because of the things he has
done for us; we believe that whatever he can do, he will continue to do.
“Today, our Majesty conferred a title on the president, and the
title he gave the president is `Menedolenu’ of Ogoni, that is the King
that does good things for Ogoni people.
“The president is one of us; he has shown that special
relationship with the Ogoni people; there is no condition for whatever
the president wants from us,’’ he said.
On his part, De Peter Medee, President, KAGOTE, the apex leadership
and Elitist social cultural organisation of Ogoni, said that Buhari had
fulfilled his campaign promise to the Ogoni people.
He said that Buhari promised to ensure that the devastated land in
Ogoni land was cleaned, adding that efforts toward the clean up was on
top gear.
According to him, Ogoni people are happy that efforts are being made to ensure that remediation starts in Ogoni land.
He said that 50 years after the union of Rivers people, Ogoni
earnestly desired to have the opportunity to provide leadership in
terms of producing the governor of River State in 2019.
“That is why we are here today; we have come to the seat of
power to ensure that yearnings and aspirations of Ogoni people are met.
“So, we are very grateful because we know very well that the
infrastructural need of Ogoni people will be met; especially, the
East-West Road which has become a death trap.
“We are very happy that with the commitment of Mr President; as
we are going back, efforts will be made to ensure that the road is put
back to use.
“We also thank the president for the efforts he has made to put
back on track the Bodo-Bonny road; these are critical infrastructure we
are very sure will deliver value to Ogoni people.
“We have also pledged to Mr President that the people of Ogoni
will continue to give him support come 2019 and any other time he needs
support from Ogoni people,’’ he said.
Speaking, Mr Legborsi Pyagbara, President, Movement for the
Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSSOP), said that the delegation brought
to the attention of Mr President Issues relating to security in Ogoni
Land.
He said that they also discussed issues concerning Ogoni in the
running of Buhari’s administration, environmental challenges, modular
refineries, oil spillage, pollution, among others.