Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s directive to initiate dialogue, community engagement, and open communication with the people of Ogoniland has successfully laid the foundation for restoring peace and rewriting over three decades of history.
The NSA asserted this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking to State House Correspondents after the Presentation of the Reports on Ogoniland Consultations to the President at the State House, Abuja.
Ribadu further revealed that President Tinubu also issued an unequivocal directive to the Office of the National Security Adviser, as well as all relevant government agencies and institutions, to ensure the full and immediate implementation of all agreed-upon measures, a mandate, he said, is already being actively executed.
“In all aspects of our national life, Ogoni is one. Thirty something years of very unfortunate history.
“He gave directives to all government agencies and institutions and also directly to our office that we must implement everything that has been agreed and we have taken it,” he said.
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Ribadu assured Nigerians that the Office of the National Security Adviser, alongside all relevant agencies, is committed to restoring peace in Ogoniland.
He expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon witness the positive impact of these efforts throughout the entire region.
“We will make sure that we will follow strictly his own directives and his instructions. We are going to make sure that peace is restored; already it is and hopefully you will see the benefit of it not just in Ogoni land but the entire Niger Delta and by extension Nigeria.”
The NSA applauded the President for his engagement of Nigerians through popular participation in rewriting past narratives adding that “today’s developments reaffirm the need to persist and advance the work ahead.”
Provide Lasting Peace
Also reacting, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and civil rights activist, Ledum Mitee, said the recent developments in Ogoniland offer a blueprint for reconciliation and lasting peace, opening doors to justice for Ogoni indigenes to partner with the government and achieve prosperity.
“I think it is the beginning of a new dawn in the government. And in fact, the rest of Nigeria.
“We’re going back; that door for justice being opened for our people, and that collectively, we will march through that door with the government.”
Ledum added that President Tinubu had equally ordered immediate action on key reports and emphasised ongoing Confidence Building Measures.
The civil rights activist highlighted that concrete progress had been made during the dialogue process, which is currently receiving direct attention from the highest level of government.
He expressed hope that this approach will demonstrate that non-violence can lead to successful outcomes, benefiting both the Ogoni people and others.
Ledum Mitee was a key member of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP)
Also speaking at the Ogoni report presentation, Governor of Rivers State, Siminalaye Fubara affirmed that there are clear indications the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is genuinely committed to resolving age long issues in Ogoniland.
“Fubara said that “the presented report on Ogoni Consultations is a sign that this government is serious about resolving these issues, and I think we need to give them all the necessary opportunity and time to ensure that this problem is resolved once and for all.
“Let me thank the committee. I believe that the reason why I’m also speaking before professor is because he has better information, like I said, since I’ve been away for a while. Let me again, thank the dialog committee and assure everyone that we would do everything humanly possible to make sure that we succeed on this national assignment.”
Hauwa Abu