*‘Tinubu Is Happy With You’, Ribadu Hails Fubara’s Leadership
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.”
“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.
“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.