The President of KAGOTE, an apex socio-cultural organization of the Ogoni people, Chief Lesi Maol, has called for a new beginning for Ogoniland, urging all Ogoni sons and daughters to put aside recent disagreements and unite around the collective interest of the people.
In a comprehensive message titled “A New Beginning For Ogoni” issued, Chief Maol said the time has come for the Ogoni nation to move beyond contentions and focus on building a future that guarantees sustainable development, prosperity and dignity for all.
Maol stated that leadership is not demonstrated by sustaining disagreements, but by knowing when the greater interest of the people requires finding common ground.
He recalled that in recent times, KAGOTE under his leadership raised concerns about certain issues affecting Ogoni, particularly the process surrounding the proposed resumption of oil activities in Ogoniland, noting that as often happens with matters of significant public interest, the position attracted different interpretations.
According to him, it has become imperative to clarify that the intervention was never intended to seek control of the process or advance any personal interest.
“Our position has always been straightforward: a matter of such historic importance to Ogoni should be approached with transparency, fairness, inclusiveness and a clear commitment to the collective benefit of our people,” Maol said.
He stressed that KAGOTE’s position was never against oil resumption, but a call for a process capable of earning public confidence and ensuring that the resources beneath Ogoni soil translate into meaningful benefits for the Federal Government, the Ogoni people and present and future generations.
The KAGOTE President acknowledged that public discourse can become passionate when it concerns the history, aspirations and future of a people, adding that strong views were expressed from different sides and some of KAGOTE’s views may not have been understood as intended.
He said continuing to revisit those differences does not serve Ogoni, stressing that there is a time to speak, a time to listen and a time to place the collective interest above momentary disagreements.
“After reflection and consultation with our family, friends and compatriots, we have chosen to put those differences behind us. We bear no ill will towards anyone. If anything we said or did during these engagements caused offence, whether intended or otherwise, we sincerely ask that we put it behind us. In the same spirit, we hold nothing against those who disagreed with us,” he declared.
Maol noted that faith and common heritage should teach that forgiveness is not weakness, but often the strength required to begin again.
Extending a hand of fellowship to all Ogoni people, the KAGOTE President called on elders, traditional rulers, political and community leaders, youths, women, professionals, religious leaders, business people and Ogoni people at home and in the diaspora to look beyond the disagreements of recent months.
“We cannot build the Ogoni of our dreams while fighting one another. At some point, we must stop counting who offended whom and begin counting what we can accomplish together,” he said.
He particularly appealed to those who supported his position to bring personal attacks and social media confrontations to an end, warning that no Ogoni leader, elder, individual or group should be insulted in his name or in defence of any position he has taken.
Maol said those who hold different views should equally see the moment as an opportunity to turn the page, noting that coming together does not mean legitimate questions should no longer be asked.
“We can disagree without becoming enemies. We can demand transparency without damaging relationships. We can correct one another without diminishing our shared identity. There should be no victor and no vanquished. The ultimate beneficiary must be Ogoni,” he added.
On oil resumption, Chief Maol reaffirmed that concerns earlier raised were intended to strengthen, not frustrate the process, explaining that transparency builds confidence, which is essential when decisions touch the collective inheritance of a people.
He however said there is also a time to recognise progress, especially where concerns have been heard and leaders are increasingly finding common ground around the collective interest of Ogoni.
“The conversation must therefore progress beyond who said what, who supported whom, or which side prevailed. The more important question is: What will Ogoni gain?” he queried.
Maol said focus should now be on ensuring that the resources God has blessed Ogoni with translate into commonwealth, sustainable development, employment, infrastructure, opportunities for youths and a better future for generations yet unborn.
He reiterated that KAGOTE’s call for transparency was never a campaign against oil resumption, but a call to ensure that if oil activities resume, the process carries the people along and leaves Ogoni better than before.
He expressed readiness to serve as a bridge and contribute constructively to solutions.
The KAGOTE President declared that he does not seek to take over anybody’s leadership or undermine any institution of Ogoni, stressing that progress does not belong to one individual, organisation or generation.
“Whatever opportunities God has given me, I regard as a responsibility. Blessings and opportunities find their highest purpose when they are used not merely for personal advancement, but to improve the lives of others,” he said.
He affirmed his willingness to sit at the same table, speak and work with anyone whose sincere objective is the dignity, development and prosperity of Ogoni people, adding that he would rather be remembered as a bridge that helped bring Ogoni together than as a voice that widened divisions.
“Ogoni is our home. We have no other Ogoni anywhere in the world. Our oil should be a blessing, not a reason for brothers and sisters to become adversaries. Our history has already demanded enormous sacrifices from those who came before us. We owe it to them, and to those coming after us, to demonstrate that we possess the wisdom to manage our differences and our resources responsibly,” Maol stated.
Chief Maol used the opportunity to appeal for an end to social media wars and personal attacks that have distracted attention from issues that truly matter to Ogoni.
“Let dialogue replace confrontation, transparency replace suspicion, and cooperation replace unnecessary rivalry. The moment before us is bigger than any individual, organisation or disagreement. It is about whether we can convert this historic opportunity into tangible benefits for our people,” he said.
He urged Ogoni people to support leaders where they pursue the common good, continue to ask legitimate questions with respect, and ensure that the interests of ordinary Ogoni people remain at the centre of every decision.
“May history remember this generation not for the disagreements that once separated us, but for the wisdom with which we overcame them and worked together to secure a better future. What matters now is Ogoni. What matters is our people. What matters is the legacy we leave behind,” he said.
He prayed God to grant wisdom, understanding and grace to build an Ogoni where opportunity and prosperity are shared by all, calling on all to advance in one voice, using collective intellect, energy and strength to advance Ogoni’s interests.
“Let this be a call for unity and an end to hostility against ourselves on all fronts. Let love lead us all,” Chief Maol concluded.
