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Ogonis Commend Tinubu Over Dialogue Meeting
The people of Ogoniland have commended President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity given to them to dialogue with the Federal Government over the development of the area.
The Ogonis comprising leaders from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, the four local government areas that make up Ogoniland in Rivers State, gave the commendation at the weekend, at the Peace and Freedom Centre, Bori, in Khana Local Government Area where they met to discuss the development and growth of the area, especially the planned resumption of oil production in the area.
Speaking to over 10,000 Ogoni sons and daughters from different communities, the co-chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, Archbishop Ignatius C.O. Katty, commended Tinubu for the opportunity given to them to dialogue with him.
According to him, the meeting with the President marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of the Ogoni people and fostering sustainable peace and development in Ogoniland.
He also commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his steadfast leadership and commitment to the dialogue process; Rivers State Governor, Sir Sim Siminalayi for his support in the process, and other government officials who contributed in making the process hitch-free.
Also, in a six-point resolution signed by the chairman, Dialogue Committee, Prof Don Baridam; co-chairman, Archbishop Katty, and secretary, Barr Tom Jackson Orage, the Ogonis recognised the government’s swift and positive response to the confidence building requests by the delegation.
“We acknowledge with gratitude the prompt actions taken by the government in response to the confidence building measures requests presented by our delegation, as a precursor to the dialogue, particularly:
“The signing into law of the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Ogoni, a landmark achievement that will contribute to educational and environmental advancement;
“The fast-tracking of the completion of the critical road project from Eleme junction to Onne junction, which will enhance connectivity and economic development;
“The implementation of affirmative action in the employment of Ogoni sons and daughters in key federal institutions, ensuring greater inclusion and representation;
“The intervention in infrastructural development through the inclusion of key Ogoni projects in the current national budget as well as interventions by the NNPCL, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing our developmental needs.”
The statement said further that, “The Congress of Ogoni People fully supports the ongoing dialogue process between the Ogoni people and the Federal Government which has begun earnestly with the Ogoni-wide consultations.
“We believe that continued engagement and constructive discussions will lead to lasting solutions that will benefit our people and future generations.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the facilitators appointed to coordinate this process and express our confidence in their ability to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in the consultation and dialogue process.”
The committee called on all Ogoni sons and daughters, regardless of political party, ethnic, or ideological differences, to unite in support of this dialogue process.
“This is a defining moment for Ogoni land, and our collective effort is necessary to achieve meaningful progress.
“We reaffirm our commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that the Ogoni people’s aspirations for development, environmental justice, and economic empowerment are realised.
“The Congress of Ogoni People remains steadfast in our pursuit of justice, development, and inclusivity.
“ We stand in solidarity with the government in this dialogue process and urge all Ogoni people to embrace unity and cooperation for the greater good of our land.”
The Tide reports that President Tinubu recently met with some Ogoni leaders led by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in Abuja on the planned oil resumption in the area.
The President then appointed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to facilitate the oil resumption talks with the Ogoni stakeholders, just as he asked the delegation to get the input of their people and feed him back.
As a result, the Ogoni leaders held a congress at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, traditional headquarters of Ogoniland, at the weekend, to inform the people of the outcome of their meeting with Tinubu.
By: Kiadum Edookor
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had lauded the courage and commitment of troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Abubakar gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, in Abuja.
The CAS said their sacrifices were etched in the history of the nation, and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who sleep safer because of the troops’ vigilance.
He emphasised that their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity have not gone unnoticed, saying his visit underscored the vital role airpower plays in neutralising threats and protecting communities.
Abubakar pledged continued investment in cutting-edge technology to empower frontline units.
According to him, the NAF remains steadfast in its mission, guided by leadership, strengthened by unity, and driven by the selfless service of its personnel.
The visit comes at a critical moment, reinforcing the importance of public support for military operations and spotlighting the human element at the heart of national defence.
Nigeria’s soft drinks and beverage market continues to show strong growth potential, making it the leading consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
A statement by the VDMA disclosed during a press conference held in Lagos ahead of drinktec 2025, that Nigeria consumed over 53 billion litres of soft drinks in 2024, placing it well ahead of other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Despite challenges such as inflation and a weakening naira, Nigeria’s growing population, rising urbanisation, and expanding middle class are key factors driving demand in the beverage sector.
Bottled water led the segment with 48.7 billion litres sold in 2024, a figure projected to rise by 27% to 62 billion litres by 2028.
Carbonated soft drinks followed with 3.4 billion litres, expected to reach 4.4 billion litres by 2028, while energy drinks are forecasted to grow by 30% over the same period. Juices, though relatively small, are also on an upward trajectory.
“The Nigerian beverage market is expanding quickly due to increasing accessibility and affordability,” VDMA stated, citing data from Euromonitor International.
Set to take place in Munich from 15 to 19 September 2025, drinktec is the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry.
VDMA, a key exhibitor and technical partner for the event, revealed that Nigerian participation is expected to be strong, especially as the country anticipates economic recovery.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, describing the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.
Abdulkareem had waxed a song titled “Tell Your Papa” which criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Soyinka criticised the action and its wider implications, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.
He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that the ban creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
Soyinka’s statement also touched on broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, lamenting the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticised the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”
He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”
Soyinka concluded by urging the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers “has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”