… Demand A Proper University
The National Union of Ogoni Students International (NUOS Int’) USA, in collaboration with the Center for Democracy, Human Rights and Anti-corruption International, CDHRAC Int’l alongside People Advancement Center and Mideckoe Environmental Development Institute have condemned an article written in Associated Press by Taiwo Adebayo, titled: “Nigeria moves to restart oil production in vulnerable region after Shell sold much of its business.”
The groups described the oil sale of $2bn that was confirmed by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Mrs. Olu Arowolo Verheijen as “another old trick to scam the Ogoni people of the Niger Delta of their wealth by Royal Dutch Shell.”
The groups stressed that the purported sales is another scam, fraud, theft and theft by deception by Royal Dutch Shell.
These were contained in a joint statement dated Monday, February 17, 2025, and signed by NUOS INT’L President Pius Nwinee and CDHRAC INT’L Coordinator Cornelius Dumerenee,
The groups said: “We also want to express deep concern over the Federal Government’s approval of Shell purported deal, particularly now that the FG is holding talks about oil resumption in Ogoniland.
“We are dismayed and disheartened by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s complicit in the Royal Dutch Shell impropriety and attempted plan to rob Ogoni people of their future, which is a violation of Ogoni economic and national security.”
The groups added: “We want to reiterate our solemn commitment to Ogoniland and Ogoni people that the Royal Dutch Shell remains persona non-grata in Ogoniland and her enclaves.
“On no account should the Royal Dutch Shell sell, transfer or divest Ogoni oil, but bequeath Ogoni oil to Ogoni people. Ogoni oil is not for sale, transfer or divestment.
“Over six decades ago, the government of the United Kingdom smuggled the Royal Dutch Shell through the window into Ogoniland, Nigeria to represent her selfish political and economic interests without the consent or permission of our founding fathers and people to steal our oil.”
“Mr. President, the Royal Dutch Shell stole our past, stole our present and we shall not stand by or fold our arms and blind our eyes to watch the Royal Dutch Shell sell the bones of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists that were killed by the military junta in 1995, as well as the bones of four Ogoni prominent chiefs, the bones of over three thousands (3,000) Ogoni people killed in the Federal Governmnent and the Royal Dutch Shell’s sponsored and instigated tribal wars with our neighbours that burned down over 17 Ogoni towns and villages.
“On our minimum demand for oil resumption discussion in Ogoniland, we urge you to exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists, immortalise Ogoni four or open an investigation in their overt and shameful killing, create Bori State for the people of Ogoni, Andoni and Opobo and rebuild the destroyed towns and villages,” the groups said.
They further noted that the Royal Dutch Shell does not have oil to sell in Ogoniland, but that they have been cheated for over six decades with unjust law that is either unknown to law or has no place in law.
According to them, “It is clear that Shell has no oil, but liabilities and Shell cannot pass its liabilities in Ogoni to its agents, associates or partner in crime through any pseudo name.
“We appreciate your establishing a University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni, but we also want to remind you that a Federal university is on every street or city in Nigeria and we hope you understand that a University of Environment and Technology is not justice for Ogoni people.
“So, we urge to upgraded it to a normal standard university with medical school, agriculture, among others, to cushion the medical and environmental degradation violence that is raging day after day in Ogoniland,” they added.
