President Tinubu Confers National Honours on Ogoni 4, Backs Oil Resumption

-Special Report-

Tinubu Honours Ogoni Four, Signals Oil Resumption in Historic Reconciliation Move

In a landmark gesture of reconciliation and national healing, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has posthumously conferred the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) honours on four late Ogoni leaders, Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orageco llectively known as the “Ogoni Four.”

This symbolic act, announced during the presentation of the Ogoni Consultations Committee’s report at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to mend decades-old wounds stemming from environmental activism and political unrest in Ogoniland.

The President’s decision comes amid renewed efforts to revive oil exploration in the region, which has remained dormant since 1993 following widespread protests against environmental degradation and the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other activists in 1995. Tinubu’s administration has pledged to support the resumption of oil production under a framework that prioritizes equity, environmental responsibility, and direct community benefit.

During the ceremony, President Tinubu called on the Ogoni people to embrace unity and reconciliation, urging them to “turn pain into purpose” and “transform the wealth beneath Ogoni soil into a blessing for the people and for Nigeria.” He emphasized that the national honours were not merely symbolic but a recognition of the sacrifices made by the Ogoni Four in the struggle for justice and environmental protection.

To operationalize the oil resumption, Tinubu directed National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to immediately commence stakeholder engagements between the Ogoni communities, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and other relevant parties.

The Minister of Environment was also tasked with integrating pollution remediation into the broader dialogue framework, ensuring that environmental restoration remains central to the development agenda.

The Ogoni Consultations Committee, chaired by Professor Don Baridam, presented a comprehensive report reflecting the collective will of the Ogoni people. The report outlined demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated cleanup efforts, and sustainable development. Ribadu noted that the consultations spanned all four Ogoni zones and included input from the diaspora, traditional leaders, and local communities. He affirmed that the process was inclusive, transparent, and driven by a spirit of dialogue rather than confrontation.

President Tinubu’s remarks underscored a commitment to building upon previous efforts, including the 2022 transfer of oil field operatorship to NNPCL and its joint venture partners under the Buhari administration. He assured stakeholders that his government would deploy every resource necessary to support Ogoniland’s journey toward shared prosperity, peace, and environmental justice.

This historic move signals a new chapter for Ogoniland, one that seeks to reconcile past injustices with future opportunities. It positions resource wealth not as a source of conflict, but as a bridge to unity and development, reaffirming the federal government’s dedication to inclusive progress across the Niger Delta.