… Set to resume oil production
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday posthumously conferred national honors on four late Ogoni leaders, a gesture aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in the region.
The four honorees; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage were each awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) during a ceremony at the State House.
Speaking at the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee report, President Tinubu called on the Ogoni people to “close ranks” and “put this dark chapter behind us.
“He urged them to move forward as a united community, stating that the memories of the honored leaders should inspire unity, courage and purpose.
The awards come nearly three decades after the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists, an event that drew international condemnation and brought global attention to the environmental and human rights struggles in the Niger Delta.
The posthumous recognition of the Ogoni Four is a significant step in the government’s effort to address the long-standing grievances in the region.
In a major announcement, President Tinubu confirmed that his administration would facilitate the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
He assured stakeholders that the government would deploy the necessary resources to ensure the communities benefit from this development, stating, “The government will deploy every resource to support your people in this march towards shared prosperity.
“The President noted the overwhelming consensus of the Ogoni communities to welcome the resumption of oil activities.
This move signals a renewed federal commitment to economic revival and sustainable development in the region, with the administration pledging to stand with the Ogoni people in their quest for peace, justice, and sustainable development.
