Tinubu Honours Ogoni 4, Backs Oil Resumption and Cleanup in Ogoniland

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on the late Ogoni leaders Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage.

The honours were bestowed during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee report at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In his remarks, President Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace reconciliation and unity after decades of tension.

“May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage and purpose among us. I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us and move forward as a united community with one voice,” he said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, environmental cleanup, and economic revival in the Niger Delta, announcing plans to restart oil production in Ogoniland.

“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production. The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity,” Tinubu declared.

He recalled that in 2022 the former administration handed the operatorship of the Ogoni oil field to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners, and assured that his government would build on that foundation.

To drive the process, Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagement with Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise modalities for restarting oil operations. He also instructed the Minister of Environment to integrate pollution remediation into ongoing dialogue with the people.

Presenting the report, the NSA explained that the consultations involved all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, documenting demands for greater participation in oil production, faster cleanup, and long-term development.

Committee chair Prof. Don Baridam said the report captured the collective will of the Ogoni people and should serve as a blueprint for implementation through an inter-agency task force.

Speaking after the event, Ribadu reaffirmed the President’s commitment to peace, stability, and inclusive growth in the Niger Delta.

“Peace is being restored already, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits, not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” Ribadu assured.

Oil production in Ogoniland has remained suspended since 1993 following protests against environmental degradation, which culminated in the 1995 execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists.

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