…promises justice, peace, development in Ogoniland
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday named Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, to head the reconciliation team in Ogoniland, assuring Nigerians that his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area.
Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesman, in a statement, after the President’s meeting at the State House in Abuja, with the leaders of Ogoniland, said the President, passionately called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.
BusinessDay gathered that the President had summoned the meeting as part of efforts to strengthen revenue from crude oil production, as well as the Ogoni clean-up and resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland.
It was gathered that the President, who is desirous of achieving his 2.06 million barrels of crude oil per day as stated in the 2025 budget, using the meeting to ensure smooth operations by oil companies, in the Niger Delta region
The reconciliatory move is seen as a bold step by th Tinubu’s administration in restoring the exploration and production of crude oil that had been hindered by misunderstanding among the over 260 communities that make up the region
The move is also expected to heal the wounds from the killing of Ken Sarowiwa, one of the prominent Ogoni leaders, who was killed under the former President Sani Abacha’s regime, as well as pave way for the cleaning of oil spillage in the community.
“We cannot in any way 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 said.
President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations as he called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.
The President had at the meeting, commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and emphasised the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
He asked ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.
“It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland.
“It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as President, but we thank God.
“Many of your sons present here were my friends and co-travellers in the streets of Nigeria, Europe, and America.
“I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain,” the President said.
Read also: CSOs demand $1trn for Ogoniland clean-up, compensation for loss of livelihoods
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State, who was part of the Ogoniland delegation in his remarks, thanked the President for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa.
He said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the President gave him through the National Security Adviser.
Emphasising the importance of resuming oil operations in Ogoniland, the governor pledged the delegation’s commitment to adhering to the President’s instructions and providing the necessary support to achieve the government’s objectives.
“What we are doing here today is to concretise 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,” he said.
The Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions.
“Guided by Mr. President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation,” Mallam Ribadu said.
He noted that the over 50-member delegation that met with the President reflected the rich diversity of Ogoni Society, representing various constituencies, interests, and viewpoints.
“The presence of this delegation is a testament to the Ogoni people’s readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development,” he said.
A representative of the Ogoni leadership, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, expressed the community leaders’ willingness to engage in the process of finding lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in Ogoniland.
Prominent leaders of Ogoniland, who were at the meeting, included Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, as well as Barry. Mpigi and Joe Poroma, attended the meeting.
Also present were Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited; Balarabe Abba, the Minister of Environment, Minister of Environment,; Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation; Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development, and Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser.
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