Women vow to resist resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland

The Federation of Ogoni Women’s Association (FOWA) yesterday said they would resist further oil exploration in Ogoniland.

Its President, Mrs. Namon Nwinde, who spoke at a rally in Bori, said that the women completely rejected the return of “repression, killings, and rape of Ogoni women under the cover of oil resumption in Ogoniland.”

She added that the women were drawn from all six kingdoms and two special areas of Ogoniland to press home their demand because they have always been at the receiving end each time the government uses the military.

“Ogoni women can no longer tolerate the continual repression that is looking endless and coming from the government. The government should protect us and not take actions that will put our dignity in danger,” she stressed.

In another development, warring suspected militants and cult members in some communities in Ohaji, Ohaji/Egbema Local Council of Imo State, yesterday agreed to cease any form of hostility in the area.

The decision was a sequel to the intervention of the Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona, who held a two-day meeting with the warring parties at his ancestral home in Oguta, Imo State.

They also accepted to drop their grievances and begin the process of ensuring that those who fled their ancestral homes return.

Irona, who condemned the violence despite the amnesty granted the youths by the immediate past administration, said: “Why are you people making trouble again after receiving amnesty? We are not interested in witch-hunting anyone. No government will fold its arms and allow her citizens terrorised, harassed and killed under whatever guise. The hostility must end immediately and unconditionally.”

He expressed joy for their decision to end their unacceptable struggle.

In his response, Chairman of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Magnus Obido, expressed gratitude to the state government for its quick intervention, urging the youths to embrace peace, particularly in Awarra and Ochia communities.