Ribadu says restart of oil exploration in Ogoni will ignite Nigerian economic turnaround

A high-level presidential delegation has declared that a transformative new chapter is unfolding for Ogoniland in Rivers State, following constructive talks on restarting oil exploration after a thirty-year halt.

Led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the delegation—which included key ministers and NNPC officials—visited Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt. Ribadu stated that the federal government is actively engaging Ogoni leaders and stakeholders to pave the way for the resumption of oil activities, which were suspended due to prolonged crisis.

The process gained momentum after Governor Fubara led Ogoni representatives to meet with President Bola Tinubu, who urged them to consult their communities. An Ogoni dialogue committee, chaired by Prof. Don Baridam and Rev. Ignatius Kattey, has since completed widespread consultations and submitted its report to the President.

Ribadu thanked Ogoni leaders for opening dialogue and commended Governor Fubara for fostering a conducive environment.

He conveyed President Tinubu’s appreciation, emphasizing that Ogoni represents a turning point for national progress.

“A new chapter is being opened. Nigeria will not be what it used to be again. Things are changing, and it is starting with Ogoni,” Ribadu stated.

In response, Governor Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his intervention, describing it as an act of genuine concern for Rivers State.

He acknowledged the difficulty of resolving a decades-long crisis and noted tangible improvements, such as eased travel along the East-West Road connecting Bonny and Bayelsa.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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