The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has hailed the long-awaited re-entry into Ogoniland as a transformative milestone, not just for oil and gas exploration, but as a powerful symbol of justice, healing, and national unity in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at a high-level event in Port Harcourt, NNPC Ltd's Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Ojulari, underscored the project's role in fostering reconciliation amid decades of environmental and social strife in the oil-rich Ogoni region.
President Bola Tinubu, addressing the gathering, acknowledged the profound suffering inflicted on the Ogoni people over the years, declaring, “We are not, as a government, taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. We recognise that, otherwise we would not be here today… We declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us.”
His words set the tone for an occasion that blended solemn reflection with forward-looking optimism, aligning the initiative squarely with his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Ogoni Re-Entry project, greenlit after extensive consultations, marks Nigeria's return to hydrocarbon activities in the area following a suspension prompted by the 1995 execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and subsequent community unrest.
Under the stewardship of the Presidential Committee on Ogoni Cleanup and Implementation, chaired by Professor Don Baridam, the re-entry emphasizes sustainable development, environmental remediation, and community empowerment.
NNPC Ltd has pledged investments in critical infrastructure, including road networks, while prioritizing local hiring and enterprise support to ensure that economic gains benefit Ogoni indigenes directly.
Engr. Ojulari, in his keynote address, framed the project as a national litmus test for equitable growth.
“The re-entry into Ogoniland is not just about oil and gas. It is about justice, healing, and charting a new future for our nation,” he stated.
He further elaborated, “Ogoni re-entry can be seen as both a test and an opportunity for the country. It demonstrates that equity can exist in national development, and oil can co-exist with environmental stewardship and inclusive nation-building.”
The GCEO credited National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for orchestrating transparent dialogues that bridged divides between stakeholders, adding, “Sustainable progress is possible and proven through collaboration with all parties concerned.”
Professor Baridam, whose committee facilitated the consensus-building process, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his steadfast commitment.
“This restored hope is also a message for the international community— Ogoni re-entry is more than a Nigerian milestone. It is a classic example of how a resource-rich nation like Nigeria can reconcile environmental protection with energy security,” he remarked.
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