The Ogoni Peoples’ Development Forum (OPDF) has hailed the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for blaming President Goodluck Jonathan over the delay in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland.
The forum in a statement signed by its Secretary, Mr. Raymond Michael in Bori, noted that the minister showed leadership by telling the president the truth, an action it said most Nigerians avoid for pecuniary reasons.
It added that Nigerian politicians must strive to stand for truth no matter their political affiliation and ideological differences especially on issues that affect the people.
The minister represented by a former Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Fred Kpakol, had at the 21st anniversary celebration of Ogoni Day urged the presidency, state governor and local government chairmen to joint hands together for the clean-up of Ogoniland.
The four Ogoni local council chairmen and state government had played their roles towards the implementation of the report leaving the federal government with the final decision, still hanging over two years after the document was submitted to President Jonathan.
The group noted that the Ogonis must not be made to die in a country that they have contributed immensely towards its sustenance.
OPDF lauded the people for the overwhelming support given to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by a worthy son of Ogoniland, Senator Magnus Abe, at the event.
It cautioned youth leaders from the area on inflammatory statements, saying what is important to the Ogoni now are governorship election in 2015, implementation of UNEP report and creation of Ogoni State.
