RIVERS CRISIS: TINUBU,FUNARA AND WIKE DISCUSSIONS REVEALED, PEACEFUL RESOLUTIONS ON THE WAY

Details of the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and leaders from Ogoniland have emerged, with the President committing to fostering peace, justice, and sustainable development in the region.

The meeting, held on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja, was attended by notable figures, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and other prominent leaders from Ogoni communities.

According to a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu assured the delegation that his administration would work to address the longstanding challenges faced by the Ogoni people. He emphasized his commitment to resolving issues related to environmental degradation, economic empowerment, and infrastructural development in the region.

The Ogoni leaders presented their concerns, urging the federal government to expedite the cleanup of Ogoniland, address security challenges, and implement sustainable economic programs to benefit local communities.

“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,” he was quoted to have said.

President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations, calling for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.

The President commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue. The president also directed ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State Government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.

He said, “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.

“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,” the President said.

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.

He said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the President gave him through the National Security Adviser.

“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,” he said.

The National Security Adviser also took turns in commending the Ogoni people, especially for their trust in President Tinubu.

“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,” Mallam Ribadu said.

He added, “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,” he said.

The statement further disclosed that 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.

Governor Fubara arrived at the meeting with Senator Lee Maeba, accompanied by a delegation of prominent Ogoni leaders, including Senators Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Chief Victor Giadom, and Chief Kenneth Kobani. Also present are Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, and Senators Bennett Birabi Barry, Mpigi, and Joe Poroma.

Other key attendees include the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abba; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; and the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

It is understood that the meeting continued at the NSA’s office after the session with Tinubu.