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Tinubu Orders Restoration of Oil Production in Ogoni, Directs NSA to Commence Stakeholder Engagement
….Ogoni Four’ get national honours
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to immediately commence engagements with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Ogoni communities in Rivers State, and other stakeholders for the resumption of oil production.
Tinubu gave the order 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, yesterday. The delegation was led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Oil exploration in Ogoniland was 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.
During the event, 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.
He 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.
Tinubu also thanked Ogoni people for embracing dialogue and reconciliation as the surest path to justice and development.”
Acknowledging the decades of struggle, he added: “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.
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.
‘Tinubu has addressed Nigeria’s long-standing problems’
Tinubu receives Ogoni dialogue report, orders immediate engagement for oil resumption
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.”
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 NNPC Ltd, 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.
Governor 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, Don Baridam, said the report reflected the collective will of 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.
Baridam described the report as “a blueprint for the future.”
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 Tinubu and Ribadu for recognising the sacrifices of his father and others.
President Bola Tinubu has highlighted some of his administration’s achievement as Nigeria celebrate 65th anniversary of her independence.
In his Independence Day broadcast on Wednesday, the President listed key reforms and economic milestones his administration has recorded in the past 28 months.
Below are the highlights:
1. Record Non-Oil Revenue Growth
Tinubu said his administration has diversified government earnings beyond crude oil.
“We have attained a record-breaking increase in non-oil revenue, achieving the 2025 target by August with over N20 trillion. In September 2025 alone, we raised N3.65 trillion, 411 percent higher than the amount raised in May 2023.”
2. Improved Fiscal Health
The President stressed that Nigeria’s debt servicing burden has been reduced significantly.
“Our debt service-to-revenue ratio has been significantly reduced from 97% to below 50%. We have paid down the infamous ‘Ways and Means’ advances that threatened our economic stability.”
3. Stronger Foreign Reserves
Tinubu noted a boost in external reserves, giving Nigeria a cushion against global shocks.
“Our external reserves increased to $42.03 billion this September — the highest since 2019.”
4. Rising Tax-to-GDP Ratio
According to the President, his government is expanding its tax base without overburdening ordinary Nigerians.
“Our tax-to-GDP ratio has risen to 13.5 percent from less than 10 percent. The new tax law will expand the base and provide tax relief to low-income earners.”
5. Nigeria Now a Net Exporter
Tinubu also emphasised that for the first time in years, Nigeria is selling more to the world than it buys.
“Nigeria has recorded a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters… Non-oil exports now represent 48 percent, compared to oil exports at 52 per cent.”
6. Oil Production Rebound
He added that crude output has increased after years of underperformance.
“Oil production rebounded to 1.68 million barrels per day from barely one million in May 2023… the country has made notable advancements by refining PMS domestically for the first time in four decades.”
7. Stabilisation of the Naira
The foreign exchange reforms, Tinubu said, have curbed volatility.
“The Naira has stabilised… The multiple exchange rates, which fostered corruption and arbitrage, are now part of history.”
8. Social Investment in Vulnerable Households
“Under the social investment programme… N330 billion has been disbursed to eight million households, many of whom have received either one or two out of the three tranches of the N25,000 each.”
9. Solid Minerals Sector Growth
In mining, Tinubu said coal mining has rebounded, signalling diversification in natural resources.
“Coal mining recovered dramatically from a 22% decline in Q1 to 57.5% growth in Q2, becoming one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing sectors.”
10. Transport Infrastructure Expansion
The President maintained that his administration is accelerating work on major rail and highway projects.
“The 284-kilometre Kano-Kastina-Maradi rail project and the Kaduna-Kano rail line are nearing completion. Work is progressing on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway.”
11. Global Recognition of Economic Reforms
Tinubu said international markets are responding positively.
“Sovereign credit rating agencies have upgraded their outlook for Nigeria… Our stock market is experiencing an unprecedented boom, rising from an all-share index of 55,000 points in May 2003 to 142,000 points as of September 26, 2025.”
12. Monetary Policy Confidence
The Central Bank has responded by lowering interest rates.
“At its last MPC meeting, the Central Bank slashed interest rates for the first time in five years, expressing confidence in our country’s macroeconomic stability.”
President Bola Tinubu has categorically denied any deliberate religious persecution in the country.
He stated this on Tuesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, at the book launch on “A decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria authored by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Tinubu insisted there is religious tolerance in Nigeria and Christians and Muslims were coexisting well, stressing that the talk of persecution in the country is false and unfounded.
He said, “There’s no religious persecution in Nigeria. It’s a lie from the pit of hell. I have always believed in good governance, and since I assumed office, I have focused on your welfare. Today, Nigerians can confidently say we have well-equipped hospitals, and we can treat critical illnesses such as cancer.”
There’s report recently that American talk show host Bill Maher had claimed that Christians are being systematically killed in Nigeria.
Maher, in a viral clip from his show Real Time with Bill Maher, alleged that up to 500,000 Christians had been killed in the country, describing the situation as genocide.
The video was circulated by international influencers, including Radio Genoa, an anti-Islamic personality on X.
Speaking further, the President assured Nigerians that they will soon start experiencing prosperity under his administration.
Tinubu said, “Nigeria’s economy just turned a corner, and you will receive prosperity; those talking negatively about this country should stop saying so.
“Just be patient, as all Nigerians will feel the prosperity in due time; don’t be corrupt.”
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BREAKING: Crisis Erupts as Dangote Refinery Halts Petrol Sales in Naira; PENGASSAN Orders Gas Supply Cut
…….Group cautions against sabotage of Dangote Refinery
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered its members across key oil and gas companies to halt supply of crude oil and gas to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The order followed the alleged sack of 800 workers by Dangote Petroleum Refinery last Thursday.
In a memo by the General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, to Branch chairmen in TotalEnergies, Renaissances, Chevron, Shell Nigeria Gas, Oando, and Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited. PENGASSAN directed the immediate shutdown of valves and suspension of all crude loading operations to the facility.
FERA refutes PENGASSAN’s allegations against Dangote Refinery
Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN clash over fate of 800 workers
Planned sale of oil, gas assets could plunge economy into crisis – PENGASSAN, NUPENG, warn FG
Group cautions against sabotage of Dangote Refinery
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has suspended the sale of petrol in naira, a move that has unsettled fuel marketers and heightened concerns over possible pressure on pump prices and the foreign exchange market.
In an email sent to customers at 6:42 pm on Friday, the refinery announced that the suspension will take effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025. The decision, it explained, was triggered by the depletion of its crude-for-naira allocation.
The statement, by the Group Commercial Operations of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and titled “Suspension of DPRP PMS Naira Sales – Effective 28th September 2025”, advised customers with pending naira-based transactions to request refunds.
Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN clash over fate of 800 workers
Read Also: Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN clash over fate of 800 workers
It reads in part: “We write to inform you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has been selling petroleum products in excess of our Naira-Crude allocations and, consequently, we are unable to sustain PMS sales in Naira going forward.
“Kindly note that this suspension of Naira sales for PMS will be effective from Sunday, 28th of September, 2025. We will provide further updates regarding the resumption of supply once the situation has been resolved.
“All customers with PMS transactions in Naira who would like a refund of their current payments should formally request the processing of their refund.”
This is not the first time the refinery has halted naira transactions. In March 2025, it briefly suspended sales of refined products in the local currency, also citing inadequate crude-for-naira allocations. That earlier decision triggered concerns about the dollarisation of fuel sales and pushed petrol pump prices to nearly ₦1,000 per litre.
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