The honours, awarded as Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), were presented during the submission of the Ogoni Consultations Committee report at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In his address, President Tinubu urged Ogoni communities to embrace reconciliation after years of division, pledging federal government support for peace, environmental cleanup, and economic revival.
“May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage, and purpose among us. I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities, and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us and move forward as a united community with one voice,” Tinubu said.
The President reaffirmed that his administration would build on the 2022 decision to hand the operatorship of the Ogoni oil fields to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners. He directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to initiate engagement between NNPCL and Ogoni leaders to ensure a smooth restart of oil operations.
Tinubu added:
“I am encouraged by the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil production. The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity.”
Presenting the committee’s findings, Prof. Don Baridam, Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, said the consultations involved all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora. The report highlighted key demands including structured participation in oil production, accelerated environmental remediation, and sustainable development.
NSA Ribadu, who fielded questions after the event, reaffirmed the President’s directives, stressing that the administration was committed to consolidating peace and addressing historical injustices in the Niger Delta.
“Peace is being restored already, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits, not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” Ribadu assured.
Oil production in Ogoniland has remained suspended since 1993 following protests over environmental degradation, culminating in the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists in 1995.
