President Bola Tinubu said on Tuesday his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development in Ogoniland.
The President stated this at a meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Siminilayi Fubara and leaders of Ogoniland at the State House, Abuja.
Those in the Ogoni delegation were Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, Senators Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi and Kenneth Kobani.
Also at the meeting were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas; and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development and a clean environment.
He said: “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 directed Ribadu to coordinate the negotiations and called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding on the matter.
He commended the delegation for embracing the Federal Government-led dialogue and stressed the need for collaboration, trust, and inclusiveness to resolve lingering issues in the region.
“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 added.
He asked ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser to achieve this mandate.
“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 stated.
In his remark, Fubara thanked the President for his support for the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the State House.
He said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the President gave him through the NSA.