The youths of the Ogoni ethnic nationality has called on the Federal Government to include the youth and women leaders in deliberations on planned resumption of oil and gas production.
Yamaabana Legborsi, the President General, Ogoni Youth Federation, made the remark at the Ogoni Youth stakeholders extraordinary meeting held in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Legborsi, who was the convener, explained that the meeting was to draft the position of the Ogoni youths on the planned resumption of the oil and gas exploration on OML 11/51 Ogoni fields.
Legborsi, who read the communiqué, signed by 26 Ogoni youths after the meeting, decried non-inclusion of ‘’critical component of women and youth stakeholders’’ in the deliberation with President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, we are not opposed to oil production and we express confidence in the National Security Adviser’s appointment to deepen the conversation.
“We urge him to harmonise and brings together all stakeholders’ interests, particularly young people, for a smooth and robust discussion for results.
‘’This oversight does not augur well with us, but with love and humility to our leaders, we appeal for a proper inclusion and representation moving forward,’’ he said.
Legborsi said that as leaders of tomorrow, they needed be to incorporated into the scheme of things of importance in order to get it right in future when the leaders of today leave the stage.
He, however, commended the President for his courage and will to end the three and a half decades of Ogoni struggle for social, economic, political and environmental justice owing to Ogoni environment and livelihoods devastation.
He said that the struggle resulted in a stalemate between the Ogoni people, Federal Government of Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and others.
According to him, we welcome the idea of oil exploration activities in Ogoniland, as we believe the modus operandi this time would be different from what was obtainable in the past.
He said that they were pained by the misunderstanding and economic disconnection between the federal government and the Ogoni people and therefore, would support their leaders on the issue.
Legborsi said that a carefully selected steering committee of the Ogoni youth stakeholders had been drawn to interface and join forces with other Ogoni leaders to deliberate on the important issues concerning their future.
“We therefore, urge everyone to keep faith with the government to herald a peaceful and fruitful outcome.
He appealed that Ogoni people should be included in the talks concerning the nomination and approval of investors for the operation and development of the Ogoni Fields in OML 11/51.
He thanked all that attracted the development to the Ogoni, including Gôvernor Siminilayi Fubara, Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister and the Ogoni leaders.
In his remark, Joseph Yobo, former Captain Super Eagles Nigeria, said that the Federal Government’s deliberation with the Ogoni people on Oil and Gas production resumption was a welcome development.
According to him, we believe that with the President’s depth of knowledge and as a father in Africa, the Ogoni people will have economic value and social justice.
“I know Mr President is a supporter of youth and women, so we appeal to him passionately for the inclusion of youths and women in the deliberations going forward,” Yobo said.
