By Obiabin Onukwugha
The federal government – Ogoni conflict over environmental degradation may be inching towards resolution, with the Ogoni stakeholders applauding President Bola Tinubu for initiating a dialogue between the two parties.
The conflict has stalled oil exploration in Ogoni land, Rivers State, and substantially reduced Nigeria’s crude oil output.
The Ogonis Dialogue Committee (ODC) states that the step taken by President Bola Tinubu marks a crucial turning point in the quest by the people of Ogoni for understanding, reconciliation, and progress.
Co-chairman of the ODC, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey stated this at a town-hall meeting with the 23 communities of Tai local government area, in Saakpenwa, headquarters of the LGA at the weekend.
Kattey applauded Tinubu for his visionary initiative in engaging in dialogue with the Ogoni people, ahead of planned resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland in Rivers State, describing the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, as a significant achievement of Ogoni ethnic nationality.
He said: “I would like to begin by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary initiative in engaging in dialogue with the Ogoni people.
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“This step marks a crucial turning point in our quest for understanding, reconciliation, and progress.
“I also extend my sincere appreciation to the National Security Adviser for his diligent facilitation of this dialogue process. Your commitment has been instrumental in fostering an environment where our voices can be heard and our concerns addressed.”
Kattey expressed gratitude to the federal government on behalf of Ogoni land for the siting of the Federal University of Environment and Technology right here in Tai LGA.
He said the institution has the potential to unlock vast economic opportunities for our people.
“It stands as a beacon of hope and progress, and I congratulate each and every one of you for your support and peaceful disposition during this dialogue process,” he said, acknowledging, “Your patience and commitment to a constructive dialogue have made this milestone possible.”
The ODC co-chairman also thanked Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for handing over a campus of the State University to the federal government for the take-off of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Ogoni.
In his remarks, the senator representing Rivers South-East senatorial district, Senator Barry Mpigi, disclosed that the new university will operate from two campuses Kira-Tai and Koroma-Tai communities.
Highpoint of the Town Hall meeting was the handing over of Position Papers on the 23 communities in Tai LGA to the dialogue committee by the Chairman, Koroma-Tai Community Development Committee, Young Kigbara.
