MOSOP PRESIDENT ELECTED CHAIRPERSON OF THE UN VOLUNTARY FUND FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has commended the 5-member Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples,

which at its 10th meeting at the 28th session of the Board of Trustees unanimously elected the President of MOSOP, Mr Legborsi Saro Pyagbara as Chairperson of the Board. The well deserved elevation, just as the earlier, was made in recognition of the towering knowledge of the Ogoni leader of the Fund and global systems as well as competence, experience, diligence, passion and commitment to Indigenous issues.

Accepting the elevation, Mr. Pyagbara acknowledged the confidence reposed in him by his colleagues and the huge responsibility the office imposes on him adding that the board would address identified gaps with a view to repositioning the body to meet present realities and to make it more attractive for collaboration, partnership and stimulate increased donor investment in the Fund. Recognising the enormous task ahead and the expertise of his colleagues, he appealed for team work to enable the Fund to be taken to the next level.

Meanwhile, MOSOP has hailed UN officials including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, international organizations, indigenous platforms and communities around the world that have expressed solidarity with, and risen in support of the election promising that the MOSOP President would not disappoint  them.

However, MOSOP is deeply elated that the accelerated ascension of the President of the Ogoni umbrella organization is a function of merit duly recognized by the world body. Coming at a time when the Ogoni people are facing deepening exclusion in all spheres even when our people are eminently qualified, as the Nigerian state seems to see no benefit in merit, we are compelled to call on the Nigerian state to emulate the United Nations.