Tinubu remembers Ogoni martyrs, pledges reconciliation
CHIGOZIE AMADI
President Bola Tinubu on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among all ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Tinubu made this commitment in a special message commemorating the 2024 Ogoni Martyrs Remembrance Day, conveyed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement is titled “President Tinubu honours Ogoni martyrs.”
Oil was first commercially discovered in Oloibiri, Ogoniland, in 1958.
The subsequent struggles of Ogoni leaders to protect their environment from harmful oil exploration were met with severe repression, culminating in the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders on November 10, 1995.
The nine activists from the Ogoni region, led by Saro-Wiwa, were hanged after a campaign against oil giant, Shell, by the regime of the former head of state, Gen Sani Abacha.
Tinubu said, “As we remember the Ogoni Martyrs, let us honour their legacy by committing to a future where such injustices are no longer tolerated and where the voices of all Nigerians are heard and respected.”
The President declared that he stood in solidarity with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People and all Ogoni citizens to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of the Ogoni nation’s interests.
He said this year’s commemoration, themed “After Price, Comes Prise,” reflected “our collective commitment to acknowledging the pain and the lessons of the past as we aspire for a brighter future.
“We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta,” said Tinubu.
The President reaffirmed that his administration would actively address historical grievances and work towards building a united and prosperous nation for future generations.
This vision, he said, would be realised through constructive engagement and mutual respect.
