By Felix Durumbah
“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.”
With these words, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday, January 21,lobbied Ogoni leaders and stakeholders over his administration’s plans to resume oil exploration in their land.
Peopleandpolitics.net had earlier reported that the President was holding a meeting with Ogoni leaders and others over the matter.
At the vital meeting also attended by top Federal Government (FG) functionaries, Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the President assured Ogoni leaders that his administration meant well and would not make the mistakes of some previous administrations, but will prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in oil-rich Ogoniland, Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.
He profusely called for unity and reconciliation, pleading with the Ogoni to forget past grievances and join hands toward peace, development, and a clean environment.
The President then appointed National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to take charge of coordinating negotiations in the run-up to recommencement of oil activities in Ogoni.
Tinubu called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.
These were contained in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu hailed the Ogoni delegation for embracing government’s dialogue option, stressing the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region.
Tinubu stated: “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 directed Ministers, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Rivers State Government to join hands with the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) on this.
He added: “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.”
Responding, Fubara appreciated the President for supporting the Ogoni and for welcoming them all to Aso Rock.
Gov. Fubara disclosed that the meeting was sequel to an assignment the President gave him through Ribadu.
Stressing the vital imperative to resume oil operations in Ogoniland, Fubara pledged their commitment to obeying the President’s instructions and providing necessary support to achieve the agenda.
Fubara said: “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.”
Also speaking, Ribadu commended the Ogoni for trusting President Tinubu and for seeing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress and enduring solutions.
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.
“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.”
Lending his voice, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, on behalf of Ogoni leadership, expressed their willingness to engage in process of securing durable solutions to the festering Ogoni challenges.
In 1993, on the heels of unrest and protests by local communities over the activities of oil multinational, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), oil production has to be stopped in Ogoniland, with the protests forcing the Anglo-Dutch giant to withdraw from the area.
