President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to ensure fairness, peace, and justice as the Federal Government works towards restarting oil exploration and environmental restoration in Ogoniland, Rivers State.
During a meeting with Ogoni leaders on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu urged the people of Ogoni to set aside past grievances and unite for progress. “We must work together with mutual trust. Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others. We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” Tinubu said.
The President emphasized the importance of reconciliation and inclusivity in resolving lingering issues in the region. He directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to lead negotiations while coordinating with federal and state agencies. Tinubu also called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), relevant ministers, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate in achieving this mandate.
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” he added.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, who led the Ogoni delegation, thanked Tinubu for his commitment to resolving the challenges in Ogoniland. “What we are doing here today is to concretize the love and respect we have for the President for being behind this meeting and for him to tell us to go back and continue the consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland will commence,” Fubara said.
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, commended the Ogoni people for embracing dialogue. “Guided by Mr. President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office and other stakeholders embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation,” Ribadu said. He highlighted the inclusive nature of the over 50-member delegation, which represented various constituencies, interests, and viewpoints in Ogoniland.
Also Read:
- Tinubu Meets Fubara, Ogoni Leaders in Abuja
- FG Orders 774 LGs to Open Accounts with CBN for Direct Allocations
King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, reaffirmed the Ogoni leaders’ readiness to engage in finding lasting solutions.
The meeting also addressed the long-delayed cleanup of Ogoniland. Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, revealed that the Federal Government aims to complete the cleanup within three to four years, noting that half of the project is already finished.
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, confirmed that Tinubu had assigned the NSA to oversee efforts to bring peace and restart petroleum exploration in the region. “Mr. President has already given the assignment to the National Security Adviser to coordinate efforts and urged all stakeholders to cooperate,” Momoh said.
The delegation included notable figures such as Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, and Olaka Nwogu, as well as former Rivers State Governors Nyesom Wike and Victor Giadom. High-ranking federal officials, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and Minister of Information Idris Mohammed, were also in attendance.
The Ogoni people’s struggle for justice and environmental restoration spans decades, and this renewed commitment from the Federal Government offers hope for progress. Tinubu’s assurances of fairness and collaboration are seen as critical steps in addressing the community’s longstanding challenges.