President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday conferred posthumous national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on late Ogoni leaders Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Theophilus Orage, and Samuel Orage—collectively known as the “Ogoni Four.”
The announcement was made at the State House in Abuja during the presentation of the report by the Ogoni Consultations Committee.
Calling for reconciliation after decades of division, President Tinubu urged the Ogoni people to embrace peace and unity. “May their memories continue to inspire unity, courage, and purpose among us. I urge the Ogoni people across classes, communities, and generations to close ranks, put this dark chapter behind us, and move forward as a united community with one voice,” he said.
The President also pledged his administration’s support for environmental cleanup, economic revival, and the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. He noted that there is an “overwhelming consensus” within the community to restart operations and promised full government backing.
He recalled that in 2022, the previous administration transferred operatorship of the Ogoni oil fields to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its partners. To build on that decision, Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to begin engagements with Ogoni communities, NNPCL, and other stakeholders to finalise plans for restarting production. The Minister of Environment was also tasked with integrating pollution remediation into the ongoing dialogue.
Presenting the committee’s report earlier, Ribadu said the consultations included all four Ogoni zones as well as representatives from the diaspora. The discussions captured key demands, including inclusion in oil operations, accelerated environmental cleanup, and long-term development planning.
Committee Chair, Prof. Don Baridam, described the report as reflecting the “collective will” of the Ogoni people and recommended its implementation through an inter-agency task force.
Speaking with journalists after the event, Ribadu reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to peace and inclusive development in the Niger Delta. “Peace is already being restored, and Nigerians will soon see the benefits—not just in Ogoniland, but across the Niger Delta and beyond,” he said
