Youths of Ogoni Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, have hailed President Ahmed Tinubu for the courage and political will to end the lingering issues on oil and gas exploration resumption in the area.
The youths, under the auspices of Ogoni youths stakeholders, also hailed Governor Siminialayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike for displaying maturity, good sense of leadership and responsibility by participating responsibly in the Presidential delegate meeting against all odds.
They spoke shortly after their extraordinary meeting in Port Harcourt, the State capital yesterday, attended by major youth group leaders and critical stakeholders from Ogoniland, including, Joseph Yobo, a former Super Eagle captain.
The stakeholders were drawn from the nine kingdoms and four council areas of Ogoni, including Babbe, Eleme, Gokana, Ken-Khana, Nyokhana and Tai, as well as Bori, the traditional headquarter of Ogoni and Ban Ogoi, special area of Ogoni.
Speaking on the 10-point resolutions reached during the meeting, they backed oil resumption on Oil mining Lease(OML) 11 and 51 and lauded the Presidential delegation for the moves and the presentations to the Federal Government (FG), and give their supports.
They expressed confidence in the ability of Tinubu and the committee led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to amicably resolve the issues plaguing oil resumption in Ogoni, to the satisfaction of all parties.
They however demanded for the inclusion of youths and women to the discussion to strike a balance and robust contribution.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the National President, Ogoni Youth Federation, Legborsi Yamabana said: “We welcome the idea of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland, as we believe the modus operandi this time would be different from what was obtainable in the past,
this we shall support our leaders to make this come to pass.”
Yobo lauded Tinubu for reopening the discussion on Ogoni oil resumption, adding that with him in the saddle, there was hope for economic recovery and social justice for the people of Ogoni.
He urged the people of the area to accept what is coming with open mind and support the process.
