Rivers: We cannot in any way rewrite history, but we can correct some anomalies of the past-BAT
According to Vanguard, On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu told leaders from Ogoniland that healing from past wounds would not be possible as long as resentment continues to fester within the community.
He further reassured them that his government would place a strong focus on fostering peace, justice, and sustainable growth in the region.
During a meeting held at the Council Chamber in Abuja, President Tinubu made an emotional appeal for unity and reconciliation. He urged the Ogoni people to set aside their historical grievances and come together to achieve peace, progress, and a restored environment.
A statement from his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, quoted the President saying, “We cannot change history, but we can rectify the mistakes of the past as we move forward. We cannot heal these wounds if we remain angry.”
The President tasked the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with leading the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of broad consultation and mutual understanding.
President Tinubu expressed his appreciation for the delegation’s willingness to engage in the government-led dialogue, highlighting the need for cooperation, trust, and inclusiveness to tackle the persistent challenges in the region.
"We must unite in trust and work together. Return to your homes, hold more consultations, and welcome others into the conversation. Let us make this trip worthwhile by bringing peace, progress, and environmental recovery back to Ogoniland," he stated.
He also directed ministers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPCL), and the Rivers State Government to work closely with the National Security Adviser’s office to carry out this mission.
“It is a great privilege to hold this meeting, as it provides an opportunity to engage with the people of Ogoniland,” President Tinubu remarked.
He acknowledged the historic partnership between Ogoniland’s leaders and himself in resisting military dictatorship, noting how none could have predicted his rise to the presidency but expressed gratitude for the journey.
“We have all stood together in the past, and many of your sons here were my comrades in the struggle in Nigeria, Europe, and America,” he continued. “I know what to do in honor of our fallen heroes so that their sacrifices will not be forgotten.”
Governor Fubara of Rivers State expressed gratitude to the President for his continued support for the Ogoni people and for ensuring that a diverse representation of the community was included in the dialogue. He explained that the meeting was a follow-up to a directive from the President through the National Security Adviser.
The Governor emphasized the significance of restarting oil operations in Ogoniland, assuring the President that the delegation was fully committed to carrying out the required consultations to facilitate this process.
“We are here today to reinforce the respect and support we have for the President, who is guiding this initiative. We will return to continue our consultations with a set timeline to ensure oil production resumes in Ogoniland,” Fubara stated.
National Security Adviser Ribadu praised the Ogoni people for their trust in the President and for their openness to dialogue as a path to finding lasting solutions. He noted that his office, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Rivers State Government, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory had worked together to organize the over 50-member delegation, ensuring that all voices and interests from Ogoniland were represented.
He highlighted that the presence of this large and diverse group signified the Ogoni people's readiness to engage in efforts for peace, justice, and sustainable development.
King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, spoke on behalf of the Ogoni leadership, expressing their readiness to engage constructively in the dialogue and address the region's challenges.
The meeting was attended by several key officials, including Governor Sim Fubara, Senator Lee Maeba, and others, along with senior members of the Nigerian government such as the Minister of Environment, the FCT Minister, the CEO of NNPC, and the National Security Adviser.
In related news, a coalition of civil society organizations recently called for a $1 trillion allocation from the federal government to clean up the Niger Delta and compensate those who have lost livelihoods due to oil production before any resumption of oil activities in Ogoniland. These groups, including Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, CAPPA, and HOMEF, voiced concerns over the government’s plans to restart oil production in the area without first addressing the environmental damage documented in a 2011 UNEP report. The group criticized the government for not fully implementing the UNEP’s recommendations or prioritizing the cleanup of the region.
Hear him speak: "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.”