•Warn against media attacks on Wike, Khana sons, daughters

The Khana Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Council has expressed strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent appointments of notable sons and daughters from the Ogoni community to key national positions.

Rising from an extraordinary meeting held in Bori on Monday, September 1, 2025, the council in a communiqué read by the chairman of Khana Local Government Area Traditional Rulers, Council, His Majesty, King Dr. Baridam Suanu Timothy Yormaadam, JP, Amb.P, FNIS, FCSI, FNIM, Finr-S.A, MCI’rb. Gbenemene & Kasimene of the Ancient Bangha Kingdom, Ogoni Land VIII/ Secretary Supreme Council Forum of Africa Traditional Authorities (FATA) praised the President for establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET) in Ogoniland, and the appointment of Professor Don Baridam as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council.

The traditional rulers also hailed the appointment of the President of KAGOTE, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, (HYPREP).

The Khana royal fathers described these appointments as a positive step toward empowering the Ogoni community and fostering inclusive governance.

The council further congratulated Hon. Dr. Bariere Thomas on his election as Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, along with the 19 newly elected councilors during the August 30, 2025, local government council elections, urging the new leadership to govern inclusively, serving all people of Khana regardless of political affiliations.

Addressing concerns over recent media criticisms, the council strongly condemned the attacks on the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom E. Wike, CON, as well as on Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah and other sons and daughters of Khana.

The council described such media attacks as irresponsible and pledged to impose sanctions if they continued, emphasizing the need to uphold the dignity of the Ogoni leaders.

The Traditional Rulers’ Council reaffirmed their backing of the President’s constitutional right to make appointments and called for unity and respect within the Khana people to ensure peace and development in the region.

The resolutions mark a clear endorsement of President Tinubu’s efforts to elevate the Ogoni community and a call for clean, inclusive governance in Khana Local Government Area going forward.