President Bola Tinubu has called on Ogoni leaders to put aside historical grievances and work with the federal government to foster peace and development in the oil-rich community.
During a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with a delegation that included Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Senator Magnus Abe, and other prominent Ogoni leaders, Tinubu reiterated the need for reconciliation and progress.
He urged leaders to hold consultations and collaborate to bring peace, development, and environmental restoration to Ogoni land.
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can correct past anomalies. Let’s build mutual trust and work towards peace and a clean environment in Ogoni land,” Tinubu said.
Governor Fubara assured the president of the delegation’s support, promising to adhere to the government’s timeline for resuming oil exploration.
The meeting comes at a time when some stakeholders criticised the government for insufficient consultations and demanded $1 trillion for clean-up and compensation before oil operations resume.
P0Oil exploration in Ogoni land stopped in the 1990s due to environmental degradation and activism led by figures like Ken Saro-Wiwa, executed in 1995.