The Ogoni Youths Stakeholders Forum has given the Ogoni Development Commission (ODC), National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) 14 days to address concerns surrounding the ongoing dialogue on the proposed resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
The group issued the ultimatum on Tuesday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, where it called for greater transparency and broader participation of Ogoni people in the process.
A major demand of the youths is the immediate release of the names of the 40 persons reportedly engaged by the NNPCL as part of the dialogue process.
They also insisted that qualified Ogoni youths should be given a seat at the table, arguing that decisions about the future of the area should not be taken without meaningful input from its younger generation.
“We demand the inclusion of qualified Ogoni youths in the dialogue because the decisions being made today will directly affect our future,” the forum said.
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The group further requested the publication of details of all projects approved for Ogoniland, including the names of contractors responsible for executing them.
According to the stakeholders, making such information public would help promote accountability and reassure residents that the process is being handled openly.
The forum warned that if its demands are not met within the 14-day period, it would consider legal action and peaceful mass mobilisation to press home its position.
It said the ultimatum was not intended to disrupt the dialogue but to ensure that the interests of Ogoni people remain central to discussions concerning the possible return of oil production to the area.
The youths maintained that transparency, accountability and genuine participation must guide any decision on the future of oil exploration and development in Ogoniland.
