His Royal Highness Kadilo Kabari, the traditional leader of the Barako Ancient Community, has advocated for the Ogoni Bill of Rights to be put into effect.
At the Uula-mii Giaa/Lol-Giaa Tor Festival, which marked the official start of a new planting season in Ogoniland, the king made the demand.
In addition to reparations for the villages, he called for justice for the Ogoni people.
“WThe monarch said: “The Natural and Paramount Ruler strongly believes that, with all the blood that has been spilled on Ogoni soil or of Ogoni people, there are spiritual cries for justice, and this should be addressed by name—clearing of the Ogoni-4, holistic reconciliation of bereaved families before exoneration of the Ogoni-9, then conduct of proper funeral rites and compensation for all lives lost in the dark days (including that of Keesiop Gboro Aakol, a Barako son).”i
Given that Barako has an abundance of gas reserves, he offered the community’s land to house a gigantic gas-dependent power infrastructure/turbine and demanded that exploration and production be resumed at Yormene Well 13 of the Bomu oil resources, which are located at Boowaa in the Barako Ancient Community.
“These, in addition to revamping the community health centre and the offer of scholarships previously provided by SPDC to Barako students as a host community, will meet their yearnings, among others.
“The significant short and abrupt downpour of rain, which usually signifies spiritual acceptance of all proclamations made, happened this year like all other years this traditional and highly spiritual rite was performed in Barako Ancient Community.
“It is important to note that Barako Ancient Community hosts the revered GBOORO, described in Gokana folklore as the Stream of the Rising Sun. It is also the only custodian of BINA, the drums that confirm warriors and kings,” the monarch added.
