Tinubu Happy with Your Leadership, Ribadu Tells Fubara as Federal Delegation Pushes Ogoni Peace

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a significant boost to reconciliation efforts in the Niger Delta, President Bola Tinubu has expressed satisfaction with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s leadership, describing the state as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful.

The message was delivered by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu during a high-profile courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday. Ribadu led a federal delegation including Minister of Works David Umahi, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal, and top officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Ribadu conveyed President Tinubu’s direct appreciation, stating: “The President is happy with you.” He praised Fubara’s leadership style and coordination in discussions toward resuming oil exploration in Ogoniland, noting that Rivers State stands out for its tranquility amid national challenges.

The delegation’s visit aims to consolidate peace initiatives in Ogoni land, with plans for high-level inspections of key sites, including ongoing infrastructure projects and environmental remediation efforts.

“A new chapter is unfolding in Ogoni,” Ribadu declared, emphasizing that transformative changes starting in the region will reshape Nigeria’s future. He thanked the Ogoni people for their patience and support, while commending the state government for hosting the University of Environment campus and the South-South zonal office of the NSA.

Minister Umahi highlighted the strategic importance of the Ogoni peace process to national unity, assuring completion of critical roads. He detailed the ₦200 billion Eleme axis of the East-West Road project, featuring five flyovers and slated for handover in April 2026.

Umahi also announced presidential approval for dualizing the Bodo-Bonny Road with two flyovers and rerouting the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Ogoniland.

Environment Minister Lawal reaffirmed the Ogoni cleanup as a top priority, with progress on UNEP-recommended projects like mangrove restoration, healthcare, and empowerment programs.

NNPCL Group CEO Bayo Ojulare stressed a people-centered approach, revealing that appointment letters for 30 Ogoni indigenes have been issued, with resumption set for January 2026. “This is a model for a new Nigeria,” he said.

In response, Governor Fubara expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for resolving a three-decade crisis in Ogoniland, crediting federal intervention for improved accessibility on the East-West Road and restored regional confidence.

He pledged continued support for peace, emphasizing that development requires compromise and crisis-free environments.

Fubara appealed to Ogoni leaders to engage youths in allowing access for repairs to oil facilities, preventing new spills during ongoing restoration.

The visit underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to Niger Delta development, blending peace-building with infrastructure and economic inclusion in one of Nigeria’s historically restive regions.