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Tinubu Honours Ogoni Four, Orders Fresh Steps to Restart Oil in Ogoniland
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a bold step that blends national recognition with a fresh economic drive. In a move that carries both historic and economic weight, the president has honoured the famous Ogoni Four while directing key federal agencies to draw a clear plan for oil operations to resume in Ogoniland.
This decision signals a turning point for a region that has long been at the centre of Nigeria’s oil story yet left with scars from decades of conflict and pollution.
A Historic Tribute to the Ogoni Four
At a ceremony inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu conferred posthumous awards of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on four slain Ogoni leaders: Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage. These men, often called the “Ogoni Four,” lost their lives during the bitter clashes of the 1990s. Their deaths became a symbol of the struggle of the Ogoni people against exploitation and environmental neglect.
Tinubu described their sacrifice as one that must never be forgotten. He praised their courage, stating that they fought not for personal gain but for justice and dignity for their land and its people. According to the president, honouring them was long overdue.
Family members and representatives of the Ogoni community witnessed the event. Emotions ran high as the president handed over the awards. Tears, quiet prayers, and applause marked a moment that many said they had waited decades to see.
Tinubu’s Directive on Oil Production
Alongside the honours, Tinubu delivered a clear instruction to his team. He charged the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to work closely with Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and relevant stakeholders. Their task: to craft a detailed plan that will allow oil production to restart in Ogoniland in a way that respects the environment and the rights of the local people.
The president stressed that this is not about rushing to pump crude at all costs. Instead, it is about setting a new tone. He called for genuine talks with community leaders and experts to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated.
A Region Scarred by the Past
Ogoniland sits in the heart of the Niger Delta, a zone once rich with oil wealth but battered by spills and neglect. For decades, drilling in Ogoniland has been halted after widespread protests led by the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP).
The killing of the Ogoni Four in 1994 was one of the darkest chapters of that era. The hangings of Saro-Wiwa and eight others in 1995 drew global outrage and forced the world to take a hard look at Nigeria’s oil politics. Since then, the region has been a symbol of both Nigeria’s oil riches and the human cost of careless extraction.
The halt of oil operations in the area left behind both damaged land and broken trust. Over the years, there have been several attempts to repair that trust. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) produced a landmark report in 2011 that called for an extensive clean-up. While some work has begun, progress has been slow and often controversial.
Economic and Environmental Stakes
Tinubu’s latest action could reopen a long-closed door for Nigeria’s energy industry. Resuming production in Ogoniland has the potential to increase national revenue at a time when the country is pushing for economic recovery and energy sector reforms.
Yet the president acknowledged that such a restart cannot happen without strong safeguards. He pointed to the need for strict environmental standards, full community input, and a framework that protects the fragile ecosystem of the Niger Delta.
Environmental groups have warned that any plan to drill again must be matched by a clear commitment to the ongoing clean-up and restoration of the soil and water. They argue that without trust and visible progress in remediation, new drilling could trigger new conflict.
Building Trust Through Dialogue
Tinubu’s call for dialogue is central to his strategy. By tasking the National Security Adviser to lead talks with all sides, he seeks to create an atmosphere where the Ogoni people feel heard and respected.
Community leaders have already welcomed the posthumous honours as a healing gesture. Many say it shows that the federal government is finally ready to acknowledge the pain of the past. Others remain cautious, insisting that words must be backed by real action on clean-up projects and fair sharing of oil benefits.
The president’s plan also includes working with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), the agency charged with the clean-up, to make sure environmental work stays on track even as oil activities resume.
Political and Social Impact
By linking national recognition with economic plans, Tinubu has sent a message that goes beyond Ogoniland. It signals a desire to reconcile with communities across the Niger Delta and to rewrite the story of Nigeria’s oil heartland.
Observers note that the timing is critical. Nigeria faces growing pressure to boost revenue and attract investment while also addressing long-standing grievances in oil-rich areas. A peaceful and carefully planned return to Ogoniland’s oil fields could become a model for balancing development and environmental justice.
Looking Ahead
The road ahead will not be simple. Restarting oil operations after nearly three decades of silence requires careful technical and social planning. It means not only reviving wells but also rebuilding trust with people who have endured years of pollution, broken promises, and conflict.
For the Ogoni, Tinubu’s gesture is more than a national award. It is a sign that their voices are finally being heard at the highest level. For Nigeria, it is a chance to show that development can be both profitable and fair.
Tinubu closed his speech with a call for unity and patience. He urged all sides—government, oil firms, and local communities—to work together to ensure that the mistakes of the past do not return.
A New Chapter for Ogoniland
The honour given to the Ogoni Four is both a recognition of sacrifice and a symbol of hope. The move to plan for oil production once more signals a new chapter for a region that has waited decades for justice and renewal.
Whether this marks the true rebirth of Ogoniland’s oil story will depend on what follows: transparent talks, rigorous clean-up, and a commitment to fairness that matches the president’s words with concrete action.
For now, the nation watches as Ogoniland steps into a future shaped by the memory of its heroes and the promise of a more responsible oil era.
