The coalition of youth groups, led by the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), has affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment that the Ogoni people will oversee the operation of Ogoni oil wells.
NYCOP stated that this directive was intended to alleviate the suffering of the people regarding crude oil production in the area. The group expressed its support for President Tinubu’s decision to recommence oil exploration in the region.
During a press briefing, NYCOP president Barinuazor Emmanuel emphasised that no politician from the state was included among the delegates appointed to oversee the project.
He said the conference aimed to “review the situation of the Ogoni people within the Nigerian Federation, bearing in mind the current socio-economic, socio-political realities, the need to mobilise support and social license for economic rebirth in Ogoni”.
Emmanuel lamented the poor socio-economic conditions of the people, which resulted from systematic repression, marginalisation, neglect, and underdevelopment imposed upon communities by past government administrations.
The youth president reminisced, explaining how the killing of their leaders, including the hanging of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight others by General Sani Abacha’s military regime, created a leadership vacuum in the region.
Emmanuel said; “I am among the delegates that visited President Bola Tinubu at the Villa in Abuja. It was one of the best because it was a pure natural, traditional visit. We didn’t go with politicians because they have in the past years disappointed us.
“The delegation was pure on Ogoni people’s over 30 years of request. Don’t allow these people to divide you. Mr President has assured us that our Oil will be operated by Ogoni people to ameliorate the age-long suffering of the people”, he said.
He added: “To put the records straight, Ogoni youths embraced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ameliorate the age-long suffering of Ogoni people in our quest to provide lasting answers to the Ogoni un-answered questions”.
Emmanuel stated that Ogoni Youth stakeholders have expressed their confidence in Tinubu, endorsing his mandate and plans for the region’s economic revival. He highlighted that the President possesses a deep understanding of the evolution of the Ogoni struggle, having supported them during the NADECO Pro-Democratic movement.
He urged royal and political elites to set aside differences and personal interests, emphasising the need to unite and address the socio-political and socio-economic challenges confronting the Ogoni people collectively.