The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has commended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his responsible leadership, describing the state as one of the most peaceful in the country.
Ribadu spoke on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, where he led a presidential delegation that included the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi; the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; and top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
He said the delegation was in the state to consolidate ongoing peace efforts in Ogoniland, noting that a new chapter was unfolding in the area and signalling a broader national transformation.
According to the NSA, President Bola Tinubu specifically directed him to convey his appreciation to Governor Fubara, expressing satisfaction with his leadership style and his coordination of discussions on the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni.
Ribadu also thanked the people of Ogoni for their patience, understanding and support, while commending the Rivers State Government for providing a campus for the University of Environment and hosting the South-South Zonal Office of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Works Dave Umahi described the Ogoni peace initiative as strategic to Nigeria’s unity, stressing that President Tinubu has a personal interest in the welfare of the Niger Delta people.
Umahi assured that all sections of the East–West Road in the region would be completed to standard, disclosing that the 15-kilometre Eleme axis of the road in Ogoniland includes five flyovers, one of which is being handled by the Rivers State Government. He said the over N200 billion project is scheduled for completion by April next year.
He further revealed that, with presidential approval, designs are ongoing to dualise the Bonny–Bodo Road up to the East–West Road, including the construction of two flyovers. He added that the President has also ordered a redesign of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Ogoniland.
Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal said the Ogoni clean-up project remains a top priority for the ministry, noting that key projects recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are progressing steadily. These include mangrove restoration, healthcare delivery, human capital development and women empowerment initiatives.
NNPCL Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulare, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Ogoni dialogue process, stressing that future engagements would prioritise people over oil. He disclosed that the employment of 30 Ogoni indigenes by NNPCL has reached an advanced stage, with appointment letters issued and resumption scheduled for January 2026. He described the developments in Ogoni as a model for a new Nigeria.
In his response, Governor Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his intervention, saying it reflects the actions of a leader genuinely concerned about Rivers State. He noted that resolving a crisis that had lingered for more than three decades in Ogoniland was a difficult task but said the President’s involvement had restored hope and confidence in the region.
The governor said residents can now travel more easily along both ends of the East–West Road connecting Bonny and Bayelsa, adding that beyond infrastructure, the Federal Government is rebuilding trust in the Niger Delta.
Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining peace and managing emerging conflicts, stressing that development cannot thrive amid crisis. He also urged Ogoni leaders to engage youths to allow oil facility operators access to repair faulty infrastructure and prevent fresh oil spills during the ongoing environmental restoration.
After the meeting, Ribadu and members of the delegation inspected the ongoing Eleme–Onne section of the East–West Road and the Federal University of Environmental Sciences in Ogoni.
Ribadu visits Ogoni oil spill site
Earlier, the NSA visited a major oil spill site at the Yorla oil field in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, accompanied by the Minister of Environment and the NNPCL CEO.
Ribadu described the spill as devastating but confirmed that it had been brought under control. He attributed the incident to sabotage, noting that the affected well had been inactive for more than 30 years.
He said the Tinubu administration has shown concern for the Ogoni people from the outset, emphasising that all interventions are community-driven and guided by continuous engagement with local residents.
