… Says the struggle to reclaim what belongs to Kogi people in Obajana is a just fight.
The Federal Government has been cautioned against the deployment of Soldiers and DSS to Obajana as such action is capable of setting the State ablaze.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State Office For Disability Affairs, Barr Zacchaeus Dare Michael gave the caution in a statement, described the struggle to reclaim what belongs to Kogi people in Obajana as a just fight.
Barr. Dare disclosed that Kogi people are now more resolute than ever to reclaim what belongs to them, pointing out that for the first time in the State history, irrespective of Party, ethnic and religious affiliation, Kogi people are more than ever resolved and in support of the State Government to claim what rightfully belongs to them.
The Rights activists explained that the activities of Dangote has caused environmental degradation in the State, lamented that 22 years after the organization began operation, it has not deemed it necessary to set up a cancer facility ahead of outbreak of illnesses associated by the flaying of cement dust and other dangerous chemicals arising from the Production of Cement.
Barr. Dare lamented that Dangote has exploited the people of Kogi State for 22 years, cautioned the Federal Government against testing the peoples will, with the deployment of soldiers and other security agencies, as he said it would be counter productive.
Barr. Dare lamented that the same Federal Government that has mismanaged the issues of Boko Haram, banditry, the Biafra agitations, Odua and Niger Delta agitations he lamented is stoking the ember of discord by taking side, lamented that the fallout of those mismanagement by agitators are visible for everyone to see today in the country.
While pointing out that testing the will of the people by deploying soldiers and security agencies to Obajana by the Federal Government has the potentials to give birth to another militia struggle, particularly that the people are more than ever before ready to claim what rightfully belongs to them should be stopped forthwith.
The Executive Secretary disclosed that Dangote will end up being the greatest loser if he thinks he can use the federal might to trample on the rights of Kogi People, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency
exercise serious restraint from its present approach.
The Activists called on the Federal Government to immediately set up a panel to see into the demand of the State Government, particularly with a lot of evidences that is available, that the Kogi people have not been treated fairly by Dangote.
He warned the Federal Government not to gloss over the Peoples demand through Kogi State Government, maintaining that no regiment of Army can stop an idea who’s time has come.
Barr. Dare warned that if the federal government likes, they should move all the battalion of Army to Obajana, but assured that they will be met with stiff resistance, because the idea to reclaim what belongs to Kogi people is the collective demand of the people.
Barr. Dare advised Dangote to apply caution in his approach to the lingering face-off, pointing out that if he thinks he has the Federal Government behind him, he will end up to be the greatest loser.
While pointing out that as a result of Dangote activities in the State, people are killed on daily basis by Dangote Trailers, with no compensation, his trucks are spoiling roads, while he has constantly evaded taxes, lamented that you cannot point to a building in any of Kogi State Institution that can be attributed to Dangote.
Barr. Dare added that the Dangote Group of Company cannot point to any form of empowerment for students, Youths association, business men in the State, lamented that the company doesn’t patronize any body in any way.
He noted that Kogi State has remained the epicenter of the 2022 flood, that has ravaged the State so badly, yet not a single support has come from the Dangote as a form of Social Corporate Responsibility.
Barr. Dare observed that the Obajana Cement is what makes Dangote thick and his current richest man in Africa status became noticeable with his activities in Obajana Cement, asked what was his worth before Dangote Cement, lamented that rather than treat Kogi people nicely he has visited and wished the people evil by his exploration and activities.