In a remembrance of Ogoni murdered during the 1967-1970 Nigerian civil war, MOSOP president Dr. Goodluck Diigbo announced the Ogoni people — whose sovereign independence was violated by the British Empire in 1901 — will seek independence from Nigeria if again threatened with massacre. As spokesman of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, Dr. Diigbo stated that self-determination is a pre-condition to remaining part of Nigeria. If the Ogoni are once again attacked for their oil and gas wealth, the Ogoni, says Diigbo, will seek independence.