
President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting a delegation of prominent leaders from Ogoni land, Rivers State, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting, attended by key stakeholders, aims to address critical issues affecting the oil-rich region.
Among the attendees are Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; and Magnus Abe, alongside other notable Ogoni leaders such as Lee Maeba, Olaka Nwogu, Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, Monsignor Pius Kii, Leedom Mitee, Bennett Birabi, Barry Mpigi, Joe Poroma, and Gabriel Piidomson.
Representatives of the federal government include Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser; Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff; Idris Mohammed, Minister of Information and National Orientation; Abubakar Momoh, Minister of Regional Development; Balarabe Abbas, Minister of Environment; Mele Kyari of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); and Tosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
While the agenda of the meeting has not been officially disclosed, sources indicate that discussions revolve around the federal government’s plans to resume oil exploration in Ogoni land and updates on the environmental clean-up efforts following decades of oil spills that devastated the region.
“It’s about Ogoni clean-up. It is about an update on the Ogoni spill,” a source close to the talks revealed.
Oil exploration in Ogoni land ceased in the early 1990s due to widespread environmental degradation caused by extensive oil spills. In recent years, the region has been a focal point for environmental restoration efforts, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and other bodies advocating for urgent action.
Earlier this month, Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, expressed concerns over the prolonged halt in oil activities in Ogoni land. He urged local leaders to facilitate the resumption of operations while ensuring environmental safeguards.
Despite the ongoing discussions, some stakeholders have criticized the federal government for inadequate consultation with the Ogoni community. A coalition of civil society organizations has demanded $1 trillion in funding for the clean-up of the Niger Delta and compensation for affected communities before oil exploration can resume.