Tinubu Immortalises Ogoni Four, Sets Stage for Oil Resumption in Ogoniland
President Bola Tinubu has immortalised four slain Ogoni leaders—Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage—by bestowing on them posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
The announcement came on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja, during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee report. Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, led the delegation to the meeting.
The recognition, coming nearly 30 years after their execution during the peak of the Ogoni struggle, signals what the Presidency described as an effort to heal long-standing wounds and rebuild trust between the Ogoni people and the Nigerian state.
Tinubu called on the communities to embrace reconciliation and unity:
“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.”
The President further assured that his administration was committed to peace, environmental restoration, and economic revival in Ogoniland, noting that discussions were already underway to resume oil exploration in the area.
He recalled that in 2022, the Ogoni oil field was handed over to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners, pledging that his government would advance the process.
To this end, Tinubu directed National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to begin immediate talks with Ogoni leaders, NNPCL, and other stakeholders, while instructing the Minister of Environment to integrate remediation and pollution cleanup into the broader roadmap.
Presenting the report, Prof. Don Baridam, chair of the Dialogue Committee, said consultations spanned all four Ogoni zones and the diaspora, with wide participation from youth, women, traditional rulers, and civil society.
He explained that the report encapsulates Ogoni aspirations for environmental recovery, structured involvement in oil operations, and a framework for sustainable development.
Ribadu, in turn, reaffirmed Tinubu’s directives would be fully executed, stressing that peace and progress in the Niger Delta were now within reach.
Veteran activist and former MOSOP president, Ledum Mitee, described the recognition and commitments as “a new dawn,” saying the process provides a model for reconciliation and proof that non-violent struggle can yield results.
He highlighted ongoing confidence-building efforts, including new job opportunities, the establishment of a University of Environmental Technology, and plans for an industrial park.
Chief Kenneth Kobani, son of the late Edward Kobani, described the moment as “deeply emotional,” noting that the recognition validated the sacrifices of his father and other leaders.
“What the President has done today shows that Nigeria can actually be a better place. No matter how long it takes, in the end, not only Ogoni but Nigeria as a whole will be better for it,” he said.
Oil production in Ogoniland has been suspended since 1993, following decades of agitation over environmental destruction, culminating in the 1995 executions of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others.
Presidency officials said Wednesday’s event could mark a turning point—transforming Ogoni’s painful history into a foundation for reconciliation, justice, and shared prosperity.
