President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate negotiations with various parties within Ogoniland in the oil-rich Niger Delta area to resume oil production in the area.
The President, who gave the directive in Abuja when he received Ogoni leaders including Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Aso Villa, said his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in the area. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was also at the meeting.
Tinubu 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.
He asked ministers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.
On his part, Governor Fubara thanked the President for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the Presidential Villa.
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.
Also, 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.
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.
