By Eric Moore
THE current chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Mike Nwielaghi, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the development of Ogoniland.
Nwielaghi, a former chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Rivers State, expressed his confidence in Tinubu’s commitment to the development and cleanup of Ogoniland when he hundreds of his kinsmen to the peace and dialogue meeting at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni ethnic nationality.
According to him, President Tinubu’s past experiences working alongside Ogoni leaders have equipped him with a deep understanding of the community’s struggles.
He said: “President Tinubu has a deep understanding of the Ogoni people’s struggles, having been an ally to our leaders in the past.”
Nwielaghi emphasized that this understanding is crucial in addressing the unique challenges faced by the Ogoni people, including environmental degradation, poverty and lack of infrastructure.
The former AD chairman and the president’s ally, praised Tinubu’s administration for engaging with the community in a democratic manner, rather than relying on use of force.
He expressed: “We thank the federal government; we thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because they are not coming with the force of power and the force of government, and they are discussing with the people in a democratic manner.”
The chairman of HYPREP Board of Trustees commended the government’s willingness to listen to the concerns of the Ogoni people and to work with them in finding solutions to their problems.
According to him, the approach is essential in building trust and fostering a sense of ownership among the Ogoni people.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to the Ogoni people, citing the establishment of the University of Environment, the completion of the East-West road, and the possibility of creating a new state for the Ogoni people.
Nwielaghi said these projects have the potential to transform the lives of the Ogoni people and to provide them with opportunities for economic growth and development.
He also acknowledged the government’s efforts to clean up the environment and to restore the damaged ecosystem in Ogoniland.
The elder statesman advised aggrieved natives to “bury the hatchet” and cooperate with the federal government’s efforts to resume oil production in Ogoniland.
He also emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation in achieving the desired goals and in ensuring that the Ogoni people benefit from the government’s initiatives.