A coalition of Ogoni youth groups, known as the Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups (COYOG), has called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to implement the demands from the Ogoni dialogue process. The youths insisted that the creation of Bori State must be a central part of the roadmap. In a statement signed by 17 youth leaders, COYOG warned against attempts by politicians and vested interests to hijack the process for personal or political gain.
The Ogoni dialogue process is a collective struggle for justice, environmental restoration, political inclusion, resource control, and sustainable development. COYOG stressed that the outcomes must reflect the aspirations of the Ogoni people rather than the interests of a few individuals. The group urged the Federal Government to issue a clear interim Memorandum of Understanding detailing institutional responsibilities, timelines, funding, monitoring mechanisms, and public reporting.
COYOG also called for the establishment of a representative Presidential Implementation Committee with a defined mandate and measurable milestones. The coalition specifically insisted that the demand for Bori State receive explicit and documented attention, describing it as fundamental to political inclusion, equitable representation, and administrative accessibility.
The youths addressed reports of a $300 million fund, demanding verifiable information on its source, purpose, and management arrangements. They emphasised that transparency must be non-negotiable. COYOG clarified that Professor Don Baridam remains the substantive leader of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee and cautioned against any individual assuming authority outside the established structure.
COYOG reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful advocacy, stating that the Ogoni dialogue belongs to the Ogoni people. Its outcomes must serve the Ogoni people, and its implementation must be transparent, inclusive, and measurable. The coalition warned that the demands contained in the Ogoni Dialogue Committee report should not be reduced to political promises or ceremonial declarations.
The demand for Bori State is a fundamental question of political inclusion, and any genuine effort to address the Ogoni question must engage this demand openly and seriously. COYOG urged President Tinubu to establish a representative Presidential Implementation Committee with a clearly defined mandate, measurable milestones, and sufficient authority to coordinate the implementation of the recommendations.
The Coalition of Ogoni Youth Groups is led by Chief Kpakol Kpakol of the Ogoni National Youth Congress and Gen. Ikeh Albert Jnr of the Khana Youth Assembly. The group is determined to ensure that the Ogoni people's aspirations are met through a transparent and inclusive implementation process.
Key points
- - The creation of Bori State is a fundamental demand of the Ogoni people. - COYOG wants a representative Presidential Implementation Committee with a defined mandate and measurable milestones. - The implementation process must be transparent, inclusive, and measurable.
