One of the last living signatories to the historic Ogoni Bill of Rights, Chief Matthew Atangsi Marcus Tornwe III, has issued a powerful call to action, urging both the Nigerian government and the Ogoni people to take bold steps in reclaiming their land, dignity, and future.

In a stirring open letter, Chief Tornwe reignited the spirit of Miidekor—a principle he pioneered that insists the Ogoni people must control the wealth derived from their land. According to the revered elder statesman, true prosperity and dignity for Ogoniland can only be achieved when the people themselves dictate the fate of their resources.

“Miidekor is not just a slogan; it is our right and our future,” Tornwe declared, warning that continued neglect and exploitation would only deepen the region’s wounds.

The respected Ogoni voice also reiterated his long-standing demand for the full implementation of the UNEP report, which documented decades of environmental destruction from oil exploration in the region. He called on the government to take urgent action to restore the land—stressing that while full recovery may be impossible, serious steps must be taken to address the crisis.

Tornwe warned that any future talks on oil production in Ogoniland must begin with redress for past injustices, including decades of pollution and marginalization. “There can be no dialogue without justice. The people must benefit directly from the oil beneath their feet,” he wrote.

In a bold international twist, Chief Tornwe also invited the Ogoni Dialogue Committee and key stakeholders to visit Indigenous communities in Canada. There, he noted, native groups have found sustainable ways to manage resources while preserving their culture and environment—lessons he believes could help the Ogoni chart a new course.

With his voice as one of the last remaining elders who signed the Ogoni Bill of Rights, Chief Tornwe’s message is clear: the time for half-measures is over. The Ogoni people must rise, and the government must act—or history will never forgive the silence.