NEWS
Tinubu Restores Oil Production in Ogoni
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately commence engagements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Rivers State’s Ogoni communities, and other stakeholders for the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
President Tinubu issued the directive on Wednesday, while receiving the report of the Presidential Committee on the Ogoni Consultations, chaired by former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Don Baridam, at the State House, Abuja.
The delegation was led by the reinstated Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Recall that oil exploration in Ogoniland has been halted in 1993 following widespread protests by the indigenes against environmental degradation.
The incident led to the execution of a writer/activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight others known as the Ogoni Nine in 1995 by the then-military regime of Gen. Sani Abacha.
President Tinubu praised the committee for what he described as “dedication and wisdom” in guiding a delicate process, and urged the Ogoni to embrace reconciliation and dialogue as the only path to justice and development.
In what is generally perceived as a measure to sooth frayed nerves in Ogoniland, President Tinubu conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) on four Ogoni leaders who died earlier in the struggle for environmental justice. They were called ‘Ogoni Four.’
A member of the delegation Sen. Magnus Abe described the CON award to the Ogoni Four as sealing the peace process because the Ogoni Nine including the late environmental activist Ken Sarowiwa, ordered killed by a former head of state, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, had earlier been honoured by President Tinubu.
The President commended the committee members for “the wisdom with which they guided’’ the process.
President Tinubu also thanked Ogoni people for embracing dialogue and reconciliation as the surest path to justice and development.”
In acknowledgment of the decades of struggle, he noted, that “We are not as a government taking lightly the years of pain endured in Ogoniland. The Federal Government truly acknowledges the long suffering of Ogoni people, and today we declare with conviction that hope is here and is back with us.
“We have to restart oil production now. Dead assets are not valuable to the community, the country and the people. The further we leave it and the longer we procrastinate, the greater the losses.”
He also directed the Minister of Environment to work with the NSA to integrate environmental remediation and community programmes into a broader dialogue and implementation process.
“Environmental remediation will renew oil production, and we must ensure efficient functionality as an instrument of action,” he added.
To Ogoni leaders and their communities, President Tinubu had a simple advice for them: close ranks and move forward.
“I urge Ogoni people across communities and generations to close ranks and put this dark chapter behind us. This reconciliation is not an erasure of history; it is the commitment to write the next chapter together. Government will deploy every resource to support Ogoni people in the march towards shared prosperity,” he said.
Conferring the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on the “Ogoni Four’’ — Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Albert Bade, Chief Samuel Orage and Chief Theophilus Orage, the President prayed that their memories “continue to inspire unity and purpose among Nigerians.”
The NSA, Ribadu described the process as transformational, aimed at restoring hope and rebuilding trust after years of neglect and conflict.
He said an inter-agency task force, including NNPCL, ministries, and the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, would oversee implementation of the report.
“Peace is already being restored, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits, not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” Ribadu said.
Gov Fubara hailed the renewed seriousness of the Federal Government.
“Finally, there is every sign that this government is serious about resolving these issues, and I think we need to give them all the necessary opportunity and time to ensure this problem is resolved once and for all,” he said, pledging his full cooperation.
The committee chairman, Prof Baridam, said the report reflected the collective will of the Ogoni people.
He highlighted demands for structured participation in oil production, accelerated clean-up of Ogoni land and sustainable development as some of the recommendations of the committee.
Prof Baridam described the report as “a blueprint for the future.”
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Prominent activist and former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Ledum Mitee, told reporters that the meeting signalled a “new dawn” for Ogoni people.
“We are leaving here with hope that something practical is being done and that our matters have received a hearing at the highest level,” Mitee said.
He noted that progress had already begun, including targeted employment and plans for a University of Environmental Technology and an industrial park.
Former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and son of the late Edward Kobani, one of the Ogoni Four, Kenneth Kobani, was emotional.
“What the President has done today has shown that Nigeria can actually be a better place. No matter how long it takes, Ogoni and Nigeria are on the right path,” he said.
Kobani thanked President Tinubu and Ribadu for recognising the sacrifices of his father and others.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expresses deep sadness over the sudden death of Mr Dotun Oladipo, former Political Editor of The Punch newspaper and Publisher of The Eagle Online, describing his death as a painful loss to Nigeria’s media industry and the nation at large.
President Tinubu acknowledges the deceased’s contributions to journalism, particularly his years of dedicated service in political reporting and his commitment to providing Nigerians with credible information through both traditional and digital media platforms.
The President says Oladipo’s professional career reflected the important role journalists play in strengthening democracy by informing citizens, holding public officials accountable and providing platforms for robust public discourse.
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He recalls the deceased’s passion for his profession and his contributions to the growth of digital journalism through The Eagle Online, which he founded after his remarkable career at Punch Newspaper.
“Dotun Oladipo’s death at the age of 56 is a painful loss to the Nigerian media community and to our nation. He was a committed journalist who devoted significant years of his life to informing the public and contributing to the development of our democracy.
“His contributions to political journalism and the digital media space will not be forgotten. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues in GOCOP and friends. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” President Tinubu notes.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has expressed profound sadness over the death of veteran journalist and publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo.
Akpabio described Oladipo’s passing as a painful loss to the Nigerian media industry and the nation, noting his significant contributions to journalism, public discourse and the growth of online media in Nigeria.
The President of the Senate commiserated with the family, friends, colleagues and professional associates of the deceased, particularly members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), where Oladipo served as Emeritus President.
“Dotun Oladipo was a courageous, principled and dedicated journalist who devoted a significant part of his life to the pursuit of truth, responsible journalism and the advancement of society.
“His sudden passing is a profound loss to his family, the journalism profession and Nigeria as a whole. His immense contributions to the development of online journalism, as well as his commitment to professional excellence, integrity and public interest, will remain indelible.
“As the philosopher John Stuart Mill reminded us, ‘He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that.’ Dotun understood that a free and responsible press must listen, question and speak truth to power. His life demonstrated that journalism, when guided by courage and conscience, can illuminate society and strengthen democracy.
“His legacy will continue to inspire journalists and media professionals who believe in the power of responsible journalism to strengthen democracy and contribute to national development,” Akpabio said.
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The Senate President prayed that God Almighty would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Akpabio also urged members of the media to uphold and build upon Oladipo’s legacy of professionalism, integrity, courage and unwavering commitment to the public interest.
“May God acquaint his soul with the compass of His course” he added.
Norway’s King Harald V has died at the age of 89, bringing an end to his more than three-decade reign and ushering in a new era for the Norwegian monarchy.
The Royal Palace announced on Friday, August 28, 2026, that the monarch died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital at 6:35am local time.
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“It is with deep sadness that we announce that His Majesty King Harald passed away today. King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday, August 28 at 6:35 am,” the palace said in a statement.
King Harald, who ascended the throne in 1991, had been hospitalised in Oslo since August 17 while receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia.
His condition became “extremely serious” on Thursday, prompting members of the royal family to gather at his bedside.
His 53-year-old son, Crown Prince Haakon, has automatically succeeded him as monarch under Norway’s constitutional succession rules. He is expected to take the name King Haakon VIII.
Following the announcement of Harald’s death, the flag at the Royal Palace in Oslo was lowered to half-mast, while members of the public gathered outside the palace to lay flowers and mourn the late monarch.
Harald was widely regarded as a popular and unifying figure during his 35 years on the throne. He was also known for his modest lifestyle and efforts to modernise the monarchy.
Kaspara Bolstad, 24, described him as “a very steady and warm king.”
“I think the entire Norwegian people see him as a role model and as someone who brings people together. Whether you’re for or against the monarchy, I think he’s well-liked across the board,” she said.
Magnus Skaugseth, 27, also praised the late King’s inclusive approach.
“He was so inclusive and committed to having values that are inclusive in the society we live in today. When there is so much division and polarisation, he was a pillar pointing in the opposite direction,” Skaugseth said.
Harald had experienced several health challenges in recent years and had undergone procedures including the fitting of a pacemaker. Despite his declining health, he repeatedly ruled out abdication, maintaining that his oath to serve Norway was lifelong.
His death comes during a turbulent period for the Norwegian royal family, which has faced a series of health and personal controversies in recent months.
With Harald’s death, Crown Prince Haakon now takes over the Norwegian throne, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the country’s monarchy.
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