Ogoni Monarch, King Samuel Nnee Urges Youths Support For Resumption of Oil Production
The Coordinator of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Samuel Nnee, has called on Ogoni youths to support President Bola Tinubu’s renewed efforts to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland.
Oil production in the area was halted in 1995 following the execution of environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders. Earlier this year, President Tinubu inaugurated a committee to develop a framework for restarting oil operations in the region.
Speaking at his palace in Kpite, Tai Local Government Area, during a courtesy visit by members of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), King Nnee said the resumption of oil exploration would spur economic growth and improve living standards across Ogoni communities.
“The envisaged resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland is a goal we must join Mr President to achieve. What remains is to agree on the modalities,” the monarch said.
He, however, emphasized the need for transparent and inclusive negotiations between the federal government and the people, insisting that each local government area should be allowed to choose its own representatives.
“Government should be magnanimous enough to understand that they cannot appoint someone to negotiate for Tai people.
“Tai people will appoint those who will negotiate with government on our behalf. I believe all other local governments should do the same,” he stated.
King Nnee warned that government-appointed negotiators might not fully represent community interests, stressing that only a broad-based and people-driven process would ensure fairness and justice.
His remarks come weeks after the Ogoni Dialogue Committee submitted its report to the federal government following months of consultations with stakeholders on the proposed resumption of oil extraction in the region.
