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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for unity and reconciliation among stakeholders in Rivers State, emphasizing the need to move beyond past grievances for the sake of national development. The President made the remarks after meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Ogoni leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on fostering peace, resuming oil production, and addressing the environmental clean-up of Ogoniland. Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who is also the former governor of Rivers State, joined the discussions midway.
“We Cannot Heal While Angry” – Tinubu
Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu stressed that peace, justice, and sustainable development must be prioritized in Ogoniland. He urged leaders to let go of old grievances and work collaboratively to create a better future for their people.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu called for inclusive consultation and mutual trust among stakeholders, directing National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to coordinate further negotiations.
“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 added.
Commitment to Ogoniland
The President assured the Ogoni people that his administration would actively support peacebuilding and development in the area. He directed relevant ministries, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Rivers State government to cooperate with the National Security Adviser’s office to fulfill these objectives.
“It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland,” Tinubu noted.
Reflecting on his historical ties with Ogoni leaders, Tinubu said: “It has been many years since your children and I partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as President, but we thank God. I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.”
Fubara Vows Commitment
Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed gratitude to the President for his support for Ogoniland and affirmed his commitment to implementing Tinubu’s directives.
“What we are doing here today is to concretize the love and respect we have for the President. We will go back, continue the consultations with a timeline, and ensure the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland begins,” Fubara said.
He acknowledged the importance of collaboration in resolving the lingering issues in Ogoniland and pledged the state’s full cooperation with the Federal Government.
Next Steps
The President’s meeting with Rivers State leaders underscores his administration’s resolve to address the region’s challenges. With consultations and negotiations underway, stakeholders are hopeful that Ogoniland will soon experience peace, economic revival, and environmental restoration.
