Ogoni Communities Begin Oil Production Talks Amid Protests.
Ogoni leaders from Rivers State's Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme local government areas have started discussions about resuming oil production in their region. The consultations follow a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni representatives, led by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in Abuja.
President Tinubu appointed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to oversee the oil resumption negotiations with Ogoni stakeholders. The president instructed the delegation to gather community input for further consideration.
The Ogoni leadership convened a congress at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, to share updates from their presidential meeting. The gathering, scheduled for 1 PM, began at 2 PM due to substantial attendance.
Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee Ignatius Kattey, Rivers South-East District Senator Barry Mpigi, and former Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People President Ledum Mitee addressed the assembly. During their presentations, young protesters displayed placards expressing doubts about the planned oil exploration. Their demands included transparency in the dialogue process, with messages criticizing Mitee's leadership and calling for Ken Saro-Wiwa's exoneration.
The meeting ended abruptly amid rising tensions, with officials and stakeholders departing quickly as youth protesters continued their demonstrations. Despite the disruption, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee issued a formal resolution. The document, signed by Committee Chairman Professor Don Baridam, Co-Chairman Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, and Tom Orage, expressed gratitude for government actions and supported the ongoing dialogue process.
The resolution emphasized the importance of continued engagement for lasting solutions benefiting current and future generations. It called for unity among Ogoni people across political and ethnic lines to support the consultation process.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People and other local organizations have expressed support for resuming oil production, provided the process remains inclusive.
Ogoni leaders from Rivers State's Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme local government areas have started discussions about resuming oil production in their region. The consultations follow a recent meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni representatives, led by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in Abuja.
President Tinubu appointed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to oversee the oil resumption negotiations with Ogoni stakeholders. The president instructed the delegation to gather community input for further consideration.
The Ogoni leadership convened a congress at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, to share updates from their presidential meeting. The gathering, scheduled for 1 PM, began at 2 PM due to substantial attendance.
Co-Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee Ignatius Kattey, Rivers South-East District Senator Barry Mpigi, and former Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People President Ledum Mitee addressed the assembly. During their presentations, young protesters displayed placards expressing doubts about the planned oil exploration. Their demands included transparency in the dialogue process, with messages criticizing Mitee's leadership and calling for Ken Saro-Wiwa's exoneration.
The meeting ended abruptly amid rising tensions, with officials and stakeholders departing quickly as youth protesters continued their demonstrations. Despite the disruption, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee issued a formal resolution. The document, signed by Committee Chairman Professor Don Baridam, Co-Chairman Archbishop Ignatius Kattey, and Tom Orage, expressed gratitude for government actions and supported the ongoing dialogue process.
The resolution emphasized the importance of continued engagement for lasting solutions benefiting current and future generations. It called for unity among Ogoni people across political and ethnic lines to support the consultation process.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People and other local organizations have expressed support for resuming oil production, provided the process remains inclusive.
