President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Ogoni leaders that his administration would prioritise justice and sustainable development.

Speaking at a meeting with the leadership of Ogoniland led by the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu called for unity and reconciliation, urging the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.

The president who said history cannot be rewritten, noted, “But we can correct some anomalies of the past going forward. We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry.”

The president, therefore, directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations, calling for an inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.

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The president commended the delegation for embracing the federal government-led dialogue and emphasised 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 said.

He asked ministers, the NNPCL, and the Rivers State government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to achieve this mandate.

Governor Fubara thanked the president for his support of the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the presidential villa.

He said the meeting was a follow-up to an assignment the president gave him through the National Security Adviser.

Emphasising the importance of resuming oil operations in Ogoniland, the governor pledged the delegation’s commitment to adhering to the president’s instructions and providing the necessary support to achieve the government’s objectives.

The National Security Adviser on his part commended the Ogoni people for their trust in President Tinubu and for embracing dialogue as a path to meaningful progress.

“Guided by Mr President’s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered, my office, the DSS, the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation,” Malam Ribadu said.

A representative of the Ogoni leadership, King Festus Babari Bagia Gberesaako XIII, the Gberemene of Gokana Kingdom, expressed the community leaders’ willingness to engage in the process of finding lasting solutions to the lingering challenges in the area.