Tinubu Confers Honours on Ogoni Four, Orders Fresh Oil Production Talks

President Bola Tinubu has posthumously awarded the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) to four late Ogoni leaders — Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage — popularly remembered as the Ogoni Four.

The announcement was made on Wednesday at the State House in Abuja when the President received the report of the Ogoni Consultations Committee, led by Professor Don Baridam.

Government Moves to Restart Oil Production in Ogoniland

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was disclosed that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, led the Ogoni delegation to the ceremony.

President Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to open immediate discussions with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Ogoni leaders, and other key stakeholders to finalise plans for the resumption of oil production in the region.

“We are not, as a government, dismissing the long years of pain endured in Ogoniland. The Federal Government fully recognises the suffering of the Ogoni people, and today we declare that hope has returned,” the President said.

He further acknowledged the resilience of the Ogoni in their fight for justice and environmental preservation, directing the NSA and the Minister of Environment to embed agreed programmes into wider policy implementation.

“Accordingly, I am directing the National Security Adviser to begin immediate engagement between the Ogoni people, NNPCL, and relevant stakeholders to agree on modalities for renewed operations. The focus must start with removing non-valuable assets that provide no benefit to the people or the nation,” he added.

Calls for Unity and Shared Prosperity

Tinubu assured that his administration would commit the required resources to address Ogoni concerns, urging the communities to unite and look forward to a future of collective progress.

“This reconciliation is not about erasing history but about writing a new chapter together. I am encouraged by the overwhelming support of the Ogoni people to welcome oil production under a fair and equitable system,” he noted.

Stakeholders Commend Confidence-Building Efforts

Governor Fubara highlighted that confidence-building steps introduced by the Federal Government had already yielded progress, citing improvements on the East-West Road and the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology as examples.

NSA Ribadu explained that several trust-building measures, such as setting up the university’s governing council and pushing ahead with key projects, had helped foster unity among previously divided groups.

“Throughout the process, dialogue prevailed over confrontation, leading to inclusive consultations. The report being presented today reflects intensive, transparent engagement,” Ribadu said.

He added that all stakeholders had now reached a consensus to pursue oil production responsibly, based on equity, fairness, and environmental responsibility, while also calling for Ogoni involvement in employment and equity development funds.

Committee Chairman, Professor Don Baridam, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his commitment, noting that the NSA’s leadership had built trust and restored hope among the communities.