After 30 years, sun is shining again over Ogoniland, by Kola Amzat

Within 28 months of his inauguration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR) has recorded quite a number of remarkable feats, good enough to enshrine and etch his name in Nigeria books of history.

I hereby chronicle the unusual accomplishments of the president since he ascended power and authority. 

At the recently concluded 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, the president was unequivocal and unapologetic in his declarations at the session that the United Nations MUST henceforth ensure that Nigeria have permanent seat at the UN Security Council, as well as ensure countries that host minerals must benefit from those minerals and that there is urgent need for United Nations Assembly to promote sovereign debt and access to trade financing.

Tinubu went further that the United Nations will recover its relevance ONLY when it reflects the world as it is, not as it was.

Perhaps, this is the first time an African president would be very brutal and audacious in confronting the West dominated UN that they’ve been largely unfair and unjustified in relegating African countries to background in the global affairs.

However, we hope Tinubu’s message resonated and that there would be a positive response, moving forward. 

At the commencement of his inauguration, Tinubu took very tough decisions (removal of subsidy and unification of Naira Exchange Rate) that previous administrations deliberately dodged and avoided, on account of the initiatives expected political backlash.

It’s heartwarming that these tough measures have set the economy on the path of recovery.   

Tinubu administration has also significantly enhanced national security, with new policies, as well as increased funding for the military and the entire security team, a strategic initiative that has continually degraded and neutralised criminality across the country. This has strengthened and fortified Nigeria territorial integrity.

A couple of months ago, the president signed into law a Tax Reform Bill, aimed at promoting fiscal federalism, comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, as well as improving the business environment.

Meanwhile, for the first time in Nigeria democratic journey, Local Government Council Authorities across the federation are in a new dimension of governance, with their new found fiscal autonomy, orchestrated by the president.

This development is to enhance their capacity to fund developmental programs–education, medical, security, infrastructures, as well as empowering the Nigerians at the grassroots level.    

It’s also worthy of note to submit that, never in the history of Nigerian democracy have all the three tiers of government continue to enjoy huge funds allocation from FAAC! This is the reality of our time!

President Tinubu has made this possible to enable developments in all facets across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

One of the monumental successes of the present administration is the on-going Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway that stretches 700 kilometers, and planned to run from Victoria Island, and cut across coastal states of Ondo, Ogun, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

The road, when completed, has the potential to increase Nigeria’s GDP, trigger industrialisation, create huge trading activities along coastal states, enhance the transportation of goods and services, as well as ensure safety of road users.

But, the crux of this write-up is the recent president’s directive to National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately engage the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Ogoni people, and other relevant stakeholders with a view to finalising the modalities for resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.

This declaration was made, following the presentation of a report by the Presidential Committee on the Ogoni Consultations, chaired by Professor Don Barida, at the State House.

During the event, the president also conferred national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on four members of Ogoniland who died in the struggle.

What a historic moment for the Ogoni people! What a historic day in Aso Villa! What a contemporary president, with a keen and discerning mind!

More than 30 years after, the eclipse that has enveloped Ogoniland is about to give way! Huge economic activities that have eluded that rich community are staging a big comeback, on account of President Tinubu unusual vision and dreams.

The community is about to be re-integrated into the main stream of the Nigerian economy, and more importantly, into the epicenter of governance.

This writer specially congratulates the president, Rivers state, and the people of Ogoniland for this tremendous feat.

For about three decades, all successive administrations, including ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, a bonafide son of the Niger Delta region, avoided the Ogoni issue like a plague.

As far as they’re concerned, Ogoni case should remain untouchable forever. It’s a leprosy that must not be touched! For Ogoni people, they should for-ever pay for their sins! They must forever be ostracised!  

But, President Bola Tinubu wouldn’t be part of this school of thought. He won’t be part of this conspiracy, against a very rich community, whose people were only fighting for their rights.

For him, Ogoni people must be reintegrated into the mainstream of governance and economy. As far as the president is concerned, Ogoni are brave and courageous people who chose to fight for generations yet unborn and for these reasons, deserved accolades for what they have done, rather than abandonment. 

This is a president that has continued to play his role as father of all ethnic groups, across the nation, regardless of political affinity, religious bias, ideological differences etc.

This is a first class statesman and a distinguished patriot who appreciates that every part of the country is relevant, if Nigeria must attain her potential.

How on earth could successive administrations have totally abandoned Ogoni people and their very rich and prosperous endowment, for more than 30 years because they’re fighting for their rights!

What the brave and courageous people needed was assurance and trust, which the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces had given to them.

The president pledged his commitment to unlocking the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland, while ensuring the environmental and economic security of Nigerian communities. 

Tinubu assured that his administration would support the journey of Ogoniland towards peace, environmental remediation, economic revival, while also facilitating the return of oil exploration to the area.

He called the people to seize the moment to turn pain into purpose, conflict into cooperation, and transform the wealth beneath Ogoni soil into blessing for the people and for Nigeria,

As the era of new dawn is about to unfold in Ogoniland, may the people of the community recoup in manifold all what they’d lost in the country.

May the land continually be prosperous for them and their generations, Rivers state and Nigeria as a nation.            

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.