By Ken Chiwendu
President Bola Tinubu says the time has come for the people of Ogoniland to set aside their anger and embrace peace and development initiatives.
Tinubu made this known during a meeting with some leaders of the state prominent of which were Governor Siminilayi Fubara, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Ogoni stakeholders.at the presidential villa on Tuesday.
In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the president assured the Ogoni leaders of his administration’s commitment to peace , justice and sustainable development of Ogoniland.
Tinubu said ” We cannot jn 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 directed the National Security Adviser ,Nuhu Ribadu to coordinate the negotiations, calling for inclusive consultations and mutual understanding.
Tinubu who praised the Rivers delegation for honouring the national dialogue also directed the Ministers, the NNPCL and the Rivers State government to cooperate with the Office of the National Security Adviser,ONSA to achieve this mandate
” 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 “
” It is a great honour for me to have this meeting which is an opportunity for me to dialogue with the people of Ogoniland ” Tinubu said.
Also Speaking, Governor Fubara thanked the President for his support for the Ogoni people and for welcoming an all-inclusive representation of the people to the presidential villa.
The governor said the meeting was a follow up to an assignment the President gave him through the National Security Adviser.
” What we are doing here today is 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 “
On his part, Ribadu said the delegation was assembled with the guidance of the president ‘s vision that every voice is heard and every interest considered
” Guided by Mr President ‘s vision that every voice is heard and every interest is considered,my office, the DSS and the government of Rivers State and the Minister of FCT embarked on a diligent and consultative process to assemble this delegation
