Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Thousands of Ogoni people on Sunday converged at the Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, to mark the 33rd Ogoni Day, using the occasion to restate a firm political and economic condition: no resumption of oil production in Ogoniland without justice, autonomy and the creation of Bori State.
In a significant departure from past celebrations often marred by factional rivalry, the 2026 Ogoni Day was calm and orderly, highlighted by a rare show of unity among the four factional presidents of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP.
The MOSOP leaders namely Prof. Olu Wai-Ogosu, Fegalo Nsuke, Prince Biira and Lazarus Tamana, sat together and delivered a joint address, read by the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, Dr. Thomas Bariere.
While acknowledging recent federal interventions, including the ongoing environmental remediation by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni, FUET, and the posthumous national honours granted to slain Ogoni leaders, MOSOP said the steps fall short of addressing the core demands of the Ogoni struggle.
“The position of MOSOP is clear: for there to be a resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, there must be full and transparent implementation of the Ogoni Dialogue report, anchored on the Ogoni Bill of Rights,” the address stated.
MOSOP further decried what it described as deep-rooted political marginalisation of the Ogoni people within Rivers State, noting that no Ogoni indigene has ever occupied the positions of governor, deputy governor, speaker of the House of Assembly or chief judge of the state.
According to the group, the creation of Bori State represents “the most viable and enduring solution” to the political exclusion of the Ogoni and a pathway to self-determination and sustainable development.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former MOSOP President, Legborsi Piagbara; Vice-Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Chinedu Mmom; and President of Gnolabia Ogoni Women, Mrs. Jennifer Nwisanee.
Prof. Mmom said FUET was established to directly address the environmental, social and developmental concerns that gave rise to the Ogoni struggle.
“This university was created to respond to the historical injustices suffered by the Ogoni people. We are committed to playing a transformative role in Ogoniland,” he said, disclosing that “60 per cent of employment opportunities in FUET will be reserved for Ogoni indigenes.”
Tension briefly surfaced after the main event when a group of men and women carrying placards and twigs marched into the venue chanting, “No Bori State, No Oil Resumption.”
Led by the Executive Director of Lekeh Development Foundation, Mr. Friday Nbani, the protesters demanded climate justice and opposed any return of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland without structural political reforms.
“Bori State will give the Ogoni people the power to govern themselves, manage their own resources and correct decades of injustice,” Nbani said. “Without that, oil resumption will only reopen old wounds.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in a statement issued to mark Ogoni Day, described the event as “a symbol of resilience, identity and a historic struggle for justice.”
In the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, the governor said the sacrifices of the Ogoni people remain “a defining chapter in Nigeria’s socio-political and democratic history.”
Governor Fubara urged Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to “shun disunity and internal divisions,” stressing that unity within MOSOP and the wider Ogoni community is critical to advancing their collective political, environmental and economic interests.
