Kehinde Fajobi
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and healing across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
In a message commemorating the 2024 Ogoni Martyrs Remembrance Day, Tinubu expressed solidarity with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) and all Ogoni citizens to honour those who sacrificed their lives for the Ogoni cause, according to a statement from his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
This year’s commemoration, themed “After Price, Comes Prise,” symbolises “our collective commitment to acknowledging the pain and the lessons of the past as we aspire for a brighter future,” Tinubu stated.
The President continued, “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.”
President Tinubu promised to address historical grievances and pursue a vision of unity and prosperity for future generations, saying, “This vision will be realised through constructive engagement and mutual respect.”
Oil was first commercially discovered in Oloibiri, Ogoniland, in 1958. Over the years, Ogoni leaders fought to protect their environment from the negative impacts of oil exploration, facing brutal repression.
This struggle led to the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders in 1995.
“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 added.