₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government has said Ogoniland in Rivers State might be the turning point for Nigeria going forward.

The government expressed optimism that a new chapter was unfolding in Ogoni, stressing that Nigeria “will no longer be what it used to be,” with the transformation about to begin in Ogoni.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, stated this when he led a Presidential delegation comprising the Ministers of Works, David Umahi and Environment, Balarabe Lawal and officials of NNPCL on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Recall that the federal government is currently discussing with leaders and stakeholders of Ogoni for the possible resumption of oil exploration in the area.

Subsequently, Governor Fubara led a delegation of Ogoni stakeholders who met with President Bola Tinubu during the first meeting to chart the way forward for peace talks with the apex government.

President Tinubu had asked the Ogoni leaders to return home to their people, get their buy-in, and return to him.

As a follow-up, the Ogoni dialogue committee, led by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Don Baridam, and co-chaired by respected priest, Ignatius Kattey, which was constituted, had concluded consultations with various groups and people across Ogoni and submitted their reports to the President.

Continuing, Ribadu recalls that the oil in Ogoni has remained untapped for over thirty years due to the crisis that led to the shutdown of exploration activities, but thanked the leaders and stakeholders of Ogoni for opening the door for talks with the government and commended Governor Fubara for creating the right environment.

He stated, “We are here as a delegation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Of course, we have the general officers in charge of the armed forces: senior officers, a couple of federal government officers who are here in Rivers State.

“Collectively, Your Excellency, we are here on a mission. Thank you for the cooperation. Thank you for working together as one to address some of the challenges and difficulties all of us inherited.

“We have worked as one. Particularly, we are here because of the Ogoni part of Nigeria. And we did an incredibly good job together as one. We are here to demonstrate that, to identify with the people and once again to thank them on behalf of Nigeria.

“We are happy today. Rivers State is probably one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. Your Excellency, you’re entitled to claim that you’re responsible, that you’re part of it. And the good people of Ogoni leaders are quality human beings.”

He continued, “We’ve had this amazing opportunity to work with them, and I can tell you they are good people, they’re first class. And we have seen progress, development, and massive promise for Nigeria and our future. Ogoni is looking like the turning point for Nigeria today.

“A new chapter is being opened. Nigeria will not be what it used to be again. Things are changing, and it is starting with Ogoni. I want to deliver the message of the President to you. He said i should thank you Your Excellency.

“He is very happy with you, and we are happy with you. He said I should also thank the people of Ogoniland for the cooperation, for understanding and for giving him a chance to achieve an amazing programme of three decades, which somehow is standing to be a massive opportunity for Nigeria. He said I should thank you, leaders, of Ogoniland.”

The NSA praised Fubara for his responsible leadership, describing Rivers as one of the most peaceful states in the country.

On his part, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, described the Ogoni peace initiative as strategic to the renewed unity of Nigeria, noting that the President takes a personal interest in the well-being of the Niger Delta people.

Umahi assured that all sections of the East–West Road affecting the Niger Delta would be completed to standard.

He disclosed that on Ogoniland, the 15-kilometre Eleme axis of the East–West Road includes five flyovers, one of which is being constructed by the Rivers State Government to support the effort of the President.

He said the over ₦200 billion project is scheduled for completion in April next year.

The minister also revealed that, with presidential approval, designs are ongoing to dualise the Bonny–Bodo Road from its starting point to the East–West Road, including the construction of two flyovers.

Umahi added that the President has ordered a redesign of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Ogoniland.

Also speaking, the Minister of Environment said the Ogoni clean-up project remains a priority for the ministry.

He explained that projects recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme are progressing well, including mangrove restoration, healthcare delivery, human capital development, and women’s empowerment initiatives.

NNPCL’s Bayo Ojulare said the national oil company is fully committed to the Ogoni dialogue process, even as he stressed that going forward, the focus would be on the people rather than oil.

He disclosed that the employment of 30 Ogoni indigenes by NNPCL has reached the final stage, with appointment letters already issued and resumption scheduled for January 2026 and described the developments in Ogoni as a model for a new Nigeria.

In his response, Governor Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his intervention, saying it reflects the actions of a leader who genuinely loves Rivers State.

The governor noted that resolving a crisis that lingered for over three decades in Ogoniland was not an easy task.

He said with the President’s intervention, residents can now drive with ease along both ends of the East–West Road, connecting Bonny and Bayelsa.

Gov. Fubara emphasized that beyond physical infrastructure, the President’s administration is rebuilding confidence in the region.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the peace process and managing emerging conflicts, noting that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.

The governor stated, “I want to say first, thank you to Mr President. You see, thanking Mr President is the first thing that everyone who truly loves the state should do. I heard the details of the National Security Adviser’s speech for over three decades.

” A decade is ten years, so imagine for more than 30 years one particular road has always been a recurrent destination where people will plan to say, let’s look for a way to imagine these people to right the wrongs, but at the end of the day, nothing happens.

“So I want to thank the President for having the boldness, determination and doggedness to say even if the process is not going to be easy, which we all know is not easy, but let us start from somewhere, and we are beginning to see the result. What are their results?

“We had the first meeting with Mr President, some commitments were made. Commitments like the East-West Road which I”m one of the benediciaeies of that road. You can’t go to my place without traversing that road.

“Today, at least a section of that road is motorable. You can close your eyesand drive along one land, ” he added.

slivertongue:
Another ploy to steal the people's resources.

TimeManager:
30years after, the people of Ogoni got the justice the deserved. They neither resorted to armed conflicts, creating and arming a terrorist group, they didn't arm twist the rest of the country with the cry of marginalization, they did not lock up their own people under sit at home, burn down Govt assets or engage in civil disobedience, they didn't turn the economy of their communities upside down nor engage in mass de-campaigning against the country or public display of hate.

The people of Ogoni engaged in intellectual protest despite decades of neglect and environmental degradation. Despite the failure of successive Governments in resolving their demands, they remained resolute with open mind. That's what we call being Tactful and intentional.

At last, their hero, Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others were granted pardon and conferred a post humoud award, likewise the Ogoni four, a new university was also approved for them among other things.
I am particularly delighted the East-West road would be completed by next year and also the newly completed Bonny-Bodo road will be dualized all the way to Bayelsa.
May God bless Nigeria.

-Kiss the truth!

Pakute:
Ogoni oil exploration restart could spark Nigeria’s turnaround - Ribadu



https://punchng.com/ogoni-oil-exploration-restart-could-spark-nigerias-turnaround-ribadu/

Jakpon:
Why do you people always feel pained anytime there js a good news

Pakute:
Ogoni oil exploration restart could spark Nigeria’s turnaround - Ribadu



https://punchng.com/ogoni-oil-exploration-restart-could-spark-nigerias-turnaround-ribadu/

PDPdestroyer:
Some people will be very sad with this development

femi4:
The spirit of Ken will not let you succeed