Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Ogoni people in dispora, particularly in the United Kingdom and Ireland has called for transparency and sincerity in the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government’s renewed efforts to engage in dialogue over oil exploration resumption in Ogoniland.
Recall that oil exploration and production activities came to a halt in Ogoniland in 1993, after Shell was declared a persona-non-grata, following agitations from the people of Ogoni over endless oil spills, environmental degradation, undevelopment and marginalisation of the area.
Since the return to democracy in 1999, there has been several failed attempts by successive governments to re-enter Ogoniland for oil exploration, as Ogoni play host to six massive oil fields including Yorla and Bodo West fields with over 70 oil well heads.
In late January 2025, President Tinubu had engaged leaders from various strata of Ogoniland with the view to resuming oil exploration in the area, a move which has sparked reactions and counter-reactions from stakeholders.
Reacting, the people of Ogoni in the United Kingdom welcomed the initiative led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but stressed that any negotiations must prioritize justice and reconciliation, not political exploitation.
Leader of Ogoni community in UK and Ireland, Mr. Gbenegbara Larry Wifa, in a statement, emphasized that true representation of Ogoni voices, including those in the diaspora, is crucial to ensuring fairness in the process.
“The issues at stake are very sensitive. People are still in pain from lost loved ones and the extensive damage to life and property in Ogoniland,” Wifa stated.
The group insisted that any discussions must be conducted with “utmost sincerity and transparency, taking into account the long-standing suffering and marginalization experienced by the Ogoni populace.” They warned against political interference, stressing that the process should focus on “healing and reconciliation.”
Wifa further stated, “The Ogoni people are calling for representation that reflects their voices, including those residing abroad, to ensure that their concerns are adequately addressed.”
The community reaffirmed its role as key stakeholders in any discussions, vowing to engage with the international community to advocate for justice.
“We are ready to engage constructively, but it must be a fair process that genuinely seeks to repair the damage done over the years,” the statement read.
While commending President Tinubu’s administration for taking steps toward peace, they urged the government to ensure the talks genuinely address the historical grievances of the Ogoni people.
“We support any effort that will lead to lasting peace and reconciliation in Ogoniland, and we wish the President and his team every success in this critical endeavor,” the statement concluded.
