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President Bola Tinubu has assured that his administration would continue to unlocking the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland, stressing that its development and economic security would be given priority.
Tinubu gave the assurance at State House, Abuja, during a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, Rivers State, led by King Samuel Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom, and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai.
The president was responding to requests presented by the Ogoni leaders at the meeting, which was also attended by former governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, and Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
Among the requests to the president was the resuscitation of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, which comprises Eleme, Khana, Gokana, and Tai local government areas of Rivers State.
The president said, “We must live and prepare for the future of our children, and we must be committed to uplifting the livelihoods of our people in a free Nigeria. This is all part of the healing process for the Ogoni people.
“There is equally the Ogoni clean-up programme that I inherited. That will be pursued diligently and honourably. The number of people that we will empower will increase as time goes on.
“I am glad that this meeting has emphasised peace and stability through the resuscitation of businesses in Ogoniland. Without these businesses, the recovery of this country will be adversely affected.
“Safety precautions, environmental and other challenges must be looked into, and we will certainly do that.
“My unwavering dedication to freedom for all people and the value of democratic governance has not diminished because I have been elected by the people, and I have to make the people the central focus of our governance of Nigeria.”
Having appointed his official spokesperson and, most recently, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) from the area, the president said he was committed to deepening collaboration with Ogoni leaders to create mutually-beneficial economic opportunities for Ogoniland and Nigeria at large.
“I am ready to work with the Ogoni people and engage with the government of Rivers State and the people of Nigeria to ensure that we give all of you a bright future in this country,” he stressed.
According to the paramount ruler, previous administrations were unable to resolve the pertinent issues associated with the shutting down of oil production in Ogoniland.
