Ribadu leads Presidential team to Rivers, lauds Fubara’s governance style

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has commended Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as responsible and inclusive leadership, saying President Bola Tinubu is pleased with the governor’s performance.

Ribadu said Rivers State remains one of the most peaceful states in the country, attributing the calm to Fubara’s leadership style and commitment to dialogue.

The NSA spoke on Monday while leading a presidential delegation on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt. The delegation included the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal; and top officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Ribadu said the visit was aimed at consolidating the ongoing peace process in Ogoniland, noting that a new chapter was unfolding in the area after decades of unrest.

According to him, President Tinubu specifically directed him to convey his appreciation to Governor Fubara for his leadership and coordination of discussions surrounding the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni.

He also thanked the people of Ogoni for their patience, understanding and cooperation, stressing that Nigeria would no longer remain the same, with positive transformation beginning from the Niger Delta.

Ribadu further praised 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 earlier, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, described the Ogoni Peace Initiative as strategic to Nigeria’s unity, noting that President Tinubu takes personal interest in the welfare of Niger Delta communities.

Umahi assured that all sections of the East–West Road would be completed to standard, disclosing that the 15-kilometre Eleme axis in Ogoniland includes five flyovers, one of which is being constructed by the Rivers State Government.

He said the over ₦200 billion project is expected to be completed by April 2026, adding that designs are ongoing to dualise the Bonny–Bodo Road and construct two additional flyovers, with presidential approval.

Umahi also revealed that the President has ordered a redesign of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Ogoniland.

On his part, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the Ogoni clean-up project remains a priority, noting progress in mangrove restoration, healthcare delivery, human capital development and women empowerment, in line with the UNEP recommendations.

Also speaking, NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulare, said the national oil company is fully committed to the Ogoni dialogue process, adding that the focus going forward would be on the people, not oil.

Ojulare disclosed that the employment of 30 Ogoni indigenes by NNPCL has reached the final stage, with appointment letters issued and resumption scheduled for January 2026.

Responding, Governor Fubara thanked President Tinubu for his intervention, describing it as the action of a leader who genuinely cares about Rivers State.

He noted that resolving a crisis that lingered for over three decades in Ogoniland was not easy, but the President’s intervention has restored confidence and eased movement along the East–West Road, connecting Bonny and Bayelsa.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and managing emerging conflicts, stressing that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.

He urged Ogoni leaders to engage youths to allow oil facility operators access to repair faulty installations in order to prevent fresh oil spills while environmental restoration continues.