President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with leaders of thought from Ogoniland in Rivers State at the Presidential Villa, where he assured them he would do all in his power to address the environmental degradation that has plagued the region.
The meeting, which included the Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, former senator Magnus Abe, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, saw the President reaffirming his administration’s commitment to prioritising peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area.
Although held behind closed doors, sources privy to the meeting 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.
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past moving forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” he said.
President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate negotiations and called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.
The President commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and emphasised the importance of collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness in resolving 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 urged ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser 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 I partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would one day sit here 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.
Governor Fubara thanked the President for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an inclusive representation of their community to the Presidential Villa.
He noted that the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the President had given 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 solidify the love and respect we have for the President for facilitating this meeting, and for his directive that we return to continue consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland can commence,” he said.
The National Security Adviser commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a pathway to meaningful progress and lasting solutions.
“Guided by Mr President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the Rivers State Government, 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.