The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) Worldwide has backed the responsible resumption of oil and gas activities in Ogoniland but rejected a return to what it described as the old model of resource exploitation.
The federation, in a press briefing signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kingsley Lekue, said any resumption must protect the environment, respect host communities and guarantee tangible benefits for the Ogoni people.
It called for meaningful youth participation, employment, technical and vocational training, local contracting, enterprise development, infrastructure, education, healthcare and measurable community benefits to be negotiated, documented and implemented.
The OYF also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the renewed attention to Ogoni’s longstanding concerns and acknowledged National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu’s role in facilitating engagement between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders.
It urged the Federal Government to maintain transparency and consultation while ensuring that any eventual resumption is supported by appropriate environmental, legal, economic and community safeguards.
The federation appealed to Ogoni youths and other stakeholders to avoid actions capable of deepening divisions, stressing that the future of Ogoniland should be pursued through peace, dialogue, development and meaningful youth participation.
The statement was signed by Chief Prince Ene Kingsley Lekue.
