*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at recent meeting with Ogoni leaders, in the Niger Delta region, reassures that his administration will prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Ogoni leaders that his administration will prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the region of Nigeria.

Tinubu stated this Tuesday, January 21, 2025, during a meeting in the State House, in Abuja, FCT.

The Nigerian leader passionately advocated unity and reconciliation among the Ogoni people, urging the Nigerians to set aside historical grievances, and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement Tuesday noted President Tinubu said: “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.”

Onanuga stated that President Tinubu also directed Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), to coordinate the negotiations.

He called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.

The statement noted President Tinubu commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue, as he 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,” Tinubu said.

The President as well directed Ministers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.

Tinubu further stated: “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.”

Going down the memory lane on Nigerians’ struggle for the entrenchment of democratic values, especially during the military regime, the Nigerian President recalled: “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.”

He reassured the delegation:

“I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones, so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.”

Governor Fubara lauds Tinubu for all-inclusive representation

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State thanked President Tinubu for his support of the Ogoni people, and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa.

Fubara 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 Tinubu’s instructions and providing the necessary support to achieve the government’s objectives.

The Rivers Governor stated: “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.”

The National Security Adviser also applauded the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu, and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions.

Malam Ribadu said: “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.”

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 NSA stated: “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.”

In his remarks at the forum, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, a representative of the Ogoni leadership, expressed the community leaders’ willingness to engage in the process of finding lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in Ogoniland, the statement added.

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