President Bola Tinubu hosted a high-level meeting with Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State and prominent Ogoni leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday. The delegation, which included key political and community figures, focused on critical issues affecting Ogoniland.
The meeting brought together Governor Fubara, Senator Lee Maeba, Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, and Joe Poroma. Other notable attendees included Chief Victor Giadom, Chief Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, and Leedom Mitee. Top federal officials, such as Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Group CEO Mele Kyari, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abba, Minister of Information Idris Mohammed, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh, and National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, also participated.
While the agenda of the meeting was not officially disclosed, insiders believe discussions revolved around the Ogoni cleanup and the resumption of oil exploration in the region. The cleanup, based on the recommendations of a 2011 United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) report, has been a longstanding demand of Ogoni residents and environmental activists.
Governor Fubara and the Ogoni leaders are reportedly advocating for sustainable environmental practices and justice for the region, which has suffered decades of pollution due to oil exploration.
The meeting comes on the heels of demands by a coalition of civil society organizations for the Federal Government to allocate $1 trillion to clean up the Niger Delta and compensate residents for the loss of their livelihoods.
Also Read:
- FG Orders 774 LGs to Open Accounts with CBN for Direct Allocations
- Northern Coalition Criticizes Emir Sanusi’s Remarks on Tinubu’s Economic Policies
The coalition, which includes Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), criticized plans to resume oil production in Ogoniland without addressing environmental concerns.
“The move to restart oil production in Ogoniland is a clear disregard for environmental justice,” the coalition said in a statement.
The group pointed to the UNEP report, which documented severe environmental degradation in Ogoniland, including widespread pollution of land, water, and air caused by years of oil activities. They expressed disappointment that the government has not fully implemented UNEP’s recommendations.
The Ogoni leaders’ presence at the meeting reflects their commitment to ensuring that the region’s environmental and economic challenges are addressed. “This is a critical moment for Ogoniland,” said one of the leaders. “We need a comprehensive solution that includes proper cleanup, compensation, and sustainable development.”
The federal government has faced growing pressure to prioritize the cleanup and provide a timeline for the full implementation of the UNEP recommendations. Environmental activists and Ogoni residents argue that addressing these issues is essential before any plans for renewed oil exploration move forward.
The outcome of the meeting remains undisclosed, but it signals renewed dialogue between the federal government, Rivers State, and Ogoni leaders. Observers hope this engagement will lead to actionable steps to address the environmental and economic challenges facing the region.