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Tinubu courts Ogoni leaders ahead of FG resuming oil production

Published

1 year ago

January 22, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wike, Fubara and leaders of Ogoniland

Tinubu courts Ogoni leaders ahead of FG resuming oil production

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, appealed to leaders of Ogoniland in Rivers State, to put the past behind them, because it would be hard to heal the wounds of the past if they continued to be angry.

The President, who assured the Ogoni leaders that his administration would prioritise peace, justice, and sustainable development of the area, however, directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu to coordinate inclusive negotiations with the Ogoni leaders.

Speaking at a meeting at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu called for unity and reconciliation, and urged the Ogoni people to set aside historical grievances and work together to achieve peace, development, and a clean environment.

“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,” the president explained.

In a release by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president directed the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to coordinate the negotiations and called for inclusive consultation and mutual understanding.

Addressing the close-door meeting attended by Governor Fubara of Rivers State and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Tinubu 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,” 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.

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“It is a great honour for me to have this meeting, which is an opportunity to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland.

“It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country. No one dreamt I would be in this chair as president, but we thank God.

“Many of your sons present here were my friends and co-travellers in the streets of Nigeria, Europe, and America. I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain,” the president said.

Earlier, 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.

“What we are doing here today is to concretise the love and respect we have for the president for being behind this meeting and for him to tell us to go back and continue the consultations with a timeline so that the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland will commence,” he said.

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 and enduring solutions.

“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,” Ribadu said.

He noted that the over 50-member delegation that met with the president reflected the rich diversity of Ogoni society, representing various constituencies, interests, and viewpoints.

According to him, “The presence of this delegation is a testament to the Ogoni people’s readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, justice, and sustainable development.”

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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 Ogoniland.

Also, yesterday, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), urged the federal government to earmark $1trillion for immediate clean-up of the degraded Niger Delta environment and compensation for loss of livelihoods.

In a statement by 16 CSOs, the groups insisted that attempt to resume oil extraction in the region already ravaged by environmental neglect further exacerbated the suffering of the people and was an affront on their right to a safe environment.

The groups that signed the statement included Miideekor Environmental Development Initiative, Ogoni Solidarity Forum-Nigeria, South South Youths Initiative, Peoples Advancement Centre, Environmental Rights Action, Kebetkache women development centre, Social Action, Lekeh Development Centre and Rainbowwatch Development Centre.

Other signatories were Kallop Humanitarian and Environmental Centre, Pilex Centre, Oilwatch Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, We The People, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa and Rights Advocacy and Development Centre.

The coalition which claimed to be concerned civil society organisations in the Niger Delta met at the Port Harcourt office of Environmental Rights Action to deliberate on the recent invitation for a private meeting in Abuja to discuss the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

They condemned the nation’s dependence on fossil fuel, saying, “It is however insensitive for this administration to open any form of discussion with handpicked group of Ogoni leaders for such talks.”

Noting that the overall will of the majority of Ogonis was paramount in the resumption matter, the groups expressed their unequivocal condemnation of the planned resumption of oil exploration and production activities in Ogoniland.

They stressed that the decision disregarded the enduring environmental, social, and economic injustices faced by the Ogoni people and undermines efforts toward sustainable development, environmental justice, community empowerment and cleanup of the devastated environment.

The demands of the CSOs included that the federal government should “halt all plans for resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland until there is meaningful consultation with the Ogoni people and full remediation of the damaged environment.

“That not one more oil well should be drilled in the Niger Delta and the government, and the oil companies should commence immediate and total cleanup of the region.

“One trillion United States Dollars should be earmarked for immediate clean up of the Niger Delta and compensation for loss of livelihoods. Immediate review of the Kangaroo Military trial and execution of ken Saro-Wiwa with other martyrs and their exoneration.

“Immediate and unconditional release of the confiscated Ken Saro-Memorial Bus sculpture held by Nigeria Customs since 2015. Full Implementation of the UNEP Report and ensuring that the clean-up and restoration of Ogoniland are prioritised and carried out transparently and effectively.”

Tinubu courts Ogoni leaders ahead of FG resuming oil production

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Omokri Accuses El-Rufai of Rights Abuses During Kaduna Governorship

Published

21 minutes ago

February 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

Omokri Accuses El-Rufai of Rights Abuses During Kaduna Governorship

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has come under renewed public scrutiny following a strongly worded statement by former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, who accused him of multiple human rights violations and abuse of power during his tenure from 2015 to 2023.

In a detailed commentary circulated online, Omokri urged Nigerians not to sympathise with the former governor amid his ongoing political and legal challenges, alleging a pattern of repression and authoritarian conduct while in office.

Allegations of Human Rights Violations

Omokri referenced the 2015 clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), led by Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, in Zaria, Kaduna State. The confrontation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Shiite members, with the official figure put at 347. Other accounts have suggested higher casualty numbers.

He accused el-Rufai’s administration of contributing to what he described as the “barbaric treatment” of Zakzaky and the mass casualties recorded during the incident.

Disappearance of Abubakar Idris

Omokri also revisited the case of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who was reportedly abducted from his residence in Kaduna on August 2, 2019, shortly before Jumu’ah prayers. Idris has not been seen since his disappearance.

The former aide claimed that the activist’s family — his wife and two daughters — continue to live in trauma, alleging that the incident occurred under what he described as an oppressive regime in Kaduna State.

Arrests and Alleged Harassment of Critics

According to Omokri, several journalists and activists were arrested during el-Rufai’s administration for critical reporting. Among those he mentioned were Jacob Onjewu Dickson, Segun Onibiyo, Midat Joseph, and Audu Maikori.

Maikori, a lawyer and activist, reportedly left Nigeria for the United States following his legal battles with the Kaduna State Government at the time.

Demolition of Properties Linked to Political Opponents

The statement further accused el-Rufai of demolishing properties allegedly linked to political adversaries.

Among those cited was Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, whose residence was reportedly demolished in the early hours of the morning during a period of political disagreement within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State.

Omokri also alleged that properties associated with Aisha Mercy Yakubu and Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, a former APC National Vice Chairman (North West), were demolished following disputes with the former governor.

Financial Allegations

In addition to human rights concerns, Omokri pointed to allegations by the Kaduna State House of Assembly accusing el-Rufai of involvement in the alleged mismanagement or diversion of ₦423 billion during his administration. The former governor has not been convicted of any wrongdoing, and the matter remains within the realm of political and legal processes.

Political Tensions

The commentary also criticised el-Rufai for recently accusing the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, of being responsible for his current political predicament. Omokri dismissed the claim, stating that legal scrutiny should not be equated with persecution.

As of press time, el-Rufai has not publicly responded to the latest remarks.

The renewed accusations have sparked debate across political and civil society circles, with supporters and critics sharply divided over the former governor’s legacy in Kaduna State.

Omokri Accuses El-Rufai of Rights Abuses During Kaduna Governorship

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First Daughter of Murtala Muhammed Reflects on Life Without Father, Preserving His Legacy

Published

6 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Aisha Muhammed Oyebode and late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed

First Daughter of Murtala Muhammed Reflects on Life Without Father, Preserving His Legacy

Aisha Muhammed Oyebode, the first daughter of late General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, has opened up about the challenges of growing up without her father, the late military head of state assassinated on February 13, 1976, and her ongoing work in philanthropy, governance, and education.

In an exclusive interview, Aisha, who is a lawyer, entrepreneur, author, activist, and philanthropist, described losing her father at age 12 as a profoundly harrowing experience. She recalled the “silence of absence” and the “noise of expectation” that followed his death, explaining that she had to grow up quickly while navigating the pressures of public scrutiny and preserving her father’s legacy.

“My father treated corruption as an emergency, not a talking point. He believed in strong leadership, discipline, clarity of purpose, and a deep commitment to Nigeria,” she said.

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Aisha also highlighted the stabilizing role of her mother, Ajoke Muhammed, who raised six children after the assassination, instilling discipline, resilience, and a focus on education.

Currently, Aisha is the Group CEO of Asset Management Group Limited and the CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), where she champions girls’ education and youth empowerment. She noted that, particularly in northern Nigeria, female primary net attendance rates are as low as 47.3–47.7%, with young women’s illiteracy reaching 70.8%.

“From our experience, the solution to girls’ education must be holistic — removing economic barriers, ensuring safety, fostering community ownership, and making education relevant to livelihoods,” she said.

She emphasized that educating girls stabilizes families and strengthens the nation, adding that the MMF Foundation has been instrumental in providing scholarships, school feeding programs, and community initiatives to enhance female education.

Reflecting on her father’s legacy, Aisha described him as a man of humility, vision, and principle, whose simple resting place in Kano reflects a life devoted to duty rather than display. She and her siblings have committed to refurbishing his grave and that of their brother Zack while carrying forward his vision through their work.

“A grave does not hold a legacy — people do. The real monument to his memory is in how we choose to live, and the kind of Nigeria we are willing to build,” she said.

Aisha’s reflections combine personal remembrance, national history, and advocacy, highlighting the enduring influence of Murtala Muhammed on his family and the nation, while underscoring the importance of education, integrity, and principled leadership in Nigeria today.

First Daughter of Murtala Muhammed Reflects on Life Without Father, Preserving His Legacy

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Anambra Police Arrest Motel Owner, Two Others Over Firearms, Drug Trafficking

Published

7 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga

Anambra Police Arrest Motel Owner, Two Others Over Firearms, Drug Trafficking

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested three individuals, including a motel owner, in Uke, Idemili North Local Government Area, for alleged possession of illegal firearms and involvement in illicit drug activities.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed that the suspects — Ifeanyi Ibeabuchi (39), Abdullahi Shaibu (26), and Obah Chima (18) — were apprehended by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu following credible intelligence.

The raid, carried out in the late hours of February 9, 2026, led to the seizure of multiple controlled substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Crystal Methamphetamine, Colos, and Mkpuru-mmiri. Authorities also recovered a Jojef pump action gun (breach number 21SA-0724) loaded with three live cartridges at the scene.

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Ikenga noted that Ibeabuchi confessed to the offenses during initial investigations, which helped law enforcement track and arrest the two other suspects.

“The Command reiterates its commitment to sustaining ongoing operations against criminal elements in the state and urges members of the public to continue providing useful information to aid policing efforts. Further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the spokesperson said.

The Anambra State Police Command has vowed to continue targeted operations against firearms and drug-related crimes, reinforcing efforts to enhance public safety in the state.