HURAC Set to Host International Visitor to Ogoniland in March

Official statement from HURAC has it that the organisation will, in March 2014, host an international visitor to Ogoniland for the first time ever since its official establishment in January 2009.  This is exciting developing news for members of the organisation as they hope to meet the Italian student activist, Mr Giacomo Grison in March.

The MOSOP President, Sir Legborsi Saro-Pyagbara has already been hinted on this development and has indicated his approval of the proposed visit.  In his reply email communication with HURAC, Mr Legborsi emphasised that ‘’definitely, his [Giacomo’s] time in Nigeria will indeed be worthwhile considering the boost it will give to the students and members of HURAC’’

Plans are already in place to welcome Mr Giacomo to the oil-rich Ogoniland.  Accommodation to cover his period of stay has also been made available.

Giacomo hopes to undertake research work aimed at composing a report on the exploitation of natural resources in the Niger Delta.  According to him, successful completion of the project would help raise awareness on human rights abuse in the Niger Delta among University students and people in Italy as regards the activities and responsibilities of multinational oil companies in the region. In his request message to HURAC, Giacomo added that he is ‘’ determined to join the protest against oil exploitation policies, and this is the reason of my asking to become a member of HURAC/MOSOP.  I am willing to actively contribute to this cause.’’

Giacomo is expected to undertake his project in the Niger Delta for the whole of March 2014 and will seek intervention and supports from the region’s environmental activists.  He also plans to seek the co-operation of youth and community leaders in the areas where he is expected to undertake his project in March.  In addition, he has promised to engage HURAC student/non-student and alumni members and Ogoni youth in series of human rights advocacy trainings whilst he is in Nigeria and to ensure that his visit is remembered amongst members of the organisation. Accordingly, HURAC will in the following days be inviting people/Ogoni youth via social media to these seminars/advocacy trainings believed to be hosted in the organisation’s Bori Unit headquarters –RivPolyCSS Bori – and other specialised events centres in Ogoni.  Although members of the organisation had in the past participated in series of human rights advocacy trainings hosted by MOSOP/UNPO/UN/USAID in Bori and Port-Harcourt, it has never itself hosted a human rights training open to public participation.

HURAC, in collaboration with MOSOP, has made all necessary arrangements to welcome her first international visitor to Ogoniland and is looking forward to partnering with him in the disposition of her duties as part of the organisation’s mission statement as enshrined in the HURAC constitution.  HURAC hopes that the opportunity of hosting an international visitor will serve to encourage others who are currently not linked with the organisation to consider becoming members to raise awareness of human rights issues among Ogoni youth.  In a statement by Mr Kate, Wisdom Deebeke who is the organisation’s International Representative, Giacomo’s visit is exhilarating and historical, and shows that HURAC is making progress to realising one of its aims as an internationally recognised and renowned organisation associated with human rights issues in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta at large.  He also hinted that the august visit will open doors of opportunities for the organisation to partner with other student activists and international organisations in the future.  Mr Kate has pioneered the affairs of the organisation ever since its official establishment in 2009, and with his expertise and creativity in web development and information technology singlehandedly designed the four HURAC websites, including OGONI/NIGER DELTA NEWS.  Responding to the development, HURAC Senior Chief Co-ordinator, Mr Ogbomene Barikpoa reassured that everything has been put in place, and all internal and external communications with officials of the relevant organisations made ahead of Giacomo’s visit and added that HURAC will render all the supports, security and serene environment for the proposed project.

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