President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Ogoni leaders of his administration’s commitment to peace, justice, and sustainable development in their region. During a meeting at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, the President called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside past grievances and work collaboratively for a brighter future.
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward,” President Tinubu said. “We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry.”
To this end, the President tasked the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with coordinating inclusive consultations and negotiations to address lingering challenges in Ogoniland. He also directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), ministers, and the Rivers State Government to collaborate with the NSA’s office to fulfill this mandate.
The President commended the Ogoni delegation for embracing dialogue and emphasized the importance of trust, collaboration, and inclusivity. “We must make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland,” he stated.
President Tinubu acknowledged his historical ties with the Ogoni people, reflecting on their shared struggles during the fight against military dictatorship and pledging to honor the sacrifices of their heroes.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State expressed gratitude to the President for supporting the Ogoni people and facilitating the meeting. He emphasized the importance of resuming oil operations in Ogoniland, pledging the delegation’s commitment to following the President’s directives.
“What we are doing here today is to concretize the love and respect we have for the President,” Governor Fubara said.
The National Security Adviser commended the Ogoni people for their willingness to engage in dialogue and highlighted the diversity of the over 50-member delegation, which represented various constituencies and interests in Ogoni society.
King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, reaffirmed the community’s readiness to work with the government to find lasting solutions to the challenges in Ogoniland.
This meeting underscores the Tinubu administration’s focus on fostering unity, resolving historical grievances, and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria’s resource-rich Niger Delta region.
