President Bola Ahmed Tinubu showed another side to his personality last week. As President, he is always under the spotlight, there is hardly anything he does that does not get looked into or discussed, his quiet time is almost also subjected to the periscope. Just like the social media has decided to make the personal lives of celebrities its business, the goings-in and out of any ‘public figure’, especially the President, become news items for the news grid. President Tinubu has especially been a regular item.
For instance, the media always makes it its duty to track the President’s whereabouts from time to time, especially when he is offshore. That has always been the modus in dealing with all leaders, not just Tinubu, but it has become more pronounced under the President, so pronounced that some outlets seeking attention have resorted to corrupting that task by almost everything to negatives. In many of such cases, the media always failed to see the merit of his diplomatic efforts, rather they resort to counting the Naira and Kobo, which measure negligibly against his end target.
However, this time around we were already on the lookout for his return from the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, where he went to attend the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW2025), on the invitation of the President of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, but he did not show up as expected, or should I say we could not see him coming. The prior privileged information was that he would be returning on Saturday evening, but all other indicators that ought to announce his arrival at the expected date and time went bleak, no idea of the President’s arrival.
So we entered the last week believing Baba was still abroad and that there might not be much activities around the corridors of power, especially as his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, had also left the country for the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Reaching the State House on Monday, just for the purposes of fulfilling all righteousness and earning the day’s pay, or just whiling the time out, reporters were shocked to realise that President Tinubu was at his desk in his office.
Apparently, the President returned as scheduled on Saturday, but also ensured to deliberately keep that part very discreet; all the effects that could have alerted the media to his return were delicately avoided; no helicopter noise above my roof, no arrival video of picture, even the security details usually sighted along the route from the Presidential Villa and the airport were concealed by the night’s cover. He left us no clue.
It initially felt like dereliction to me because in the past, I have been very apt monitoring arrivals and departures of the President, just like I did during his predecessor’s time, but this one beat me and I was wondering ‘how did I miss this?’. I however came to the conclusion that it was actually deliberately orchestrated to pass a message; if Tinubu decides to be invincible to the media, he can be really out of sight, even while he does his things. If I am allowed to say it, I would say Mr. President pulled another ‘idan stunt’ on us, despite our acclaimed eagle-eyed watch.
Healing the Wounds of Ogoniland
Meanwhile, last week, the President took a decisive step towards resolving decades of discord and environmental degradation in Ogoniland. Meeting with Ogoni leaders and the Rivers State government, using the time to make a heartfelt appeal for unity and cooperation as the federal government considers the resumption of oil production in the Ogoni axis of Rivers State—a venture fraught with historical pain and community division.
The scars of Ogoniland’s troubled past are deep. The brutal execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists in 1995, alongside the tragic deaths of the four Ogoni chiefs in 1994, left the community fractured and embittered. These events etched a painful legacy of environmental degradation and political strife. But as President Tinubu aptly noted, while history cannot be rewritten, there is a pressing need to “correct some anomalies of the past going forward.”
At the heart of this dialogue lies a complex challenge: the Ogoni community remains divided, with some aligning themselves with the memory of the “Ogoni Four,” and others with the “Ogoni Nine.” President Tinubu acknowledged these fractures but urged the people to look beyond their differences. “We cannot heal the wounds if we continue to be angry,” he said. This call for reconciliation was underscored by his directive to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to lead inclusive negotiations aimed at fostering mutual understanding.
The President’s remarks carried a tone of personal connection and responsibility. “It has been many years since your children and myself partnered to resist military dictatorship in this country,” he reminded the delegation. Tinubu’s acknowledgment of his historical ties with Ogoni activists served as a poignant reminder that he, too, has walked the path of struggle. His words, “I know what to do in memory of our beloved ones so that their sacrifices will not be in vain,” resonated as a promise to honour those who paid the ultimate price for justice and environmental sustainability.
In his bid to pave the way for peace and progress, the President emphasized collaboration at all levels. He directed the Rivers State Government, ministers, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to work in concert with the Office of the National Security Adviser to bring about a resolution. The meeting, as he described it, was not just a dialogue but an opportunity “to bring peace, development, and a clean environment back to Ogoniland.”
Yet, achieving this vision requires more than government intervention—it demands community buy-in. The President urged the delegation to return home and engage in deeper consultations, ensuring all voices are heard. “Go back home, do more consultations, and embrace others,” he said. This call for inclusivity reflects an understanding that no lasting solution can be imposed from above. Instead, it must arise from the grassroots, from the very people who have borne the brunt of Ogoniland’s challenges.
President Tinubu’s approach also underscores the importance of trust, a scarce commodity in a region where promises of environmental remediation and economic development have often gone unfulfilled. By commending the delegation for embracing dialogue, he sought to lay the foundation for rebuilding that trust. “We must work together with mutual trust,” he emphasized—a sentiment that will be crucial as the community navigates the complexities of reconciliation and resource extraction.
The stakes are high. Beyond resolving historical grievances, the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland has the potential to revitalize the local economy and bring much-needed development to the region. However, this can only be achieved if all parties—the Federal Government, the Rivers State Government, and the Ogoni people—commit to a shared vision of peace and prosperity.
As the President concluded, the moment is ripe for healing and progress. “It is a great honour for me to have this meeting,” he said, acknowledging the significance of the occasion. Indeed, the dialogue represents a crucial step towards turning the page on Ogoniland’s painful past and charting a new course for its future.
The path ahead will not be easy. But if President Tinubu’s words are any indication, there is hope that the people of Ogoniland can finally come together to build a legacy of unity, environmental restoration, and economic empowerment—one that honours the sacrifices of the past while looking firmly towards the future.
Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Armed Forces
Then on Thursday President Tinubu unveiled his Renewed Hope Agenda for Nigeria’s Armed Forces. He once again demonstrated his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security infrastructure with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new defence complex and the inauguration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Army Barracks in Abuja. The dual event symbolized more than a construction project; it was a bold declaration of his administration’s vision for a well-equipped and professional military.
“This ceremony marks the start of a construction project and the foundation of a renewed commitment to our military and the values we hold dear as a democracy,” the President declared. His words underscored the strategic importance of fortifying Nigeria’s defence capabilities at a time when the nation is recording significant successes in combating various security challenges.
The President used the occasion to express gratitude to Nigeria’s armed forces, commending their dedication and resilience in the face of adversity. “I want to use this moment to personally commend the remarkable efforts of our armed forces under the leadership of the CDS, General CG Musa, who stands guard with the Service Chiefs and men against the evil forces that seek to retard our cherished peace and development,” he said.
Tinubu’s acknowledgment of the troops’ sacrifices resonated deeply, reflecting his understanding of the essential role they play in safeguarding national unity and peace. “Your dedication, courage, and resilience protect our freedoms and uphold the very principles upon which our nation was founded,” he added.
With the promise to support military personnel and their families, the President reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring a modern and capable defence force. “Under our Renewed Hope Administration, I reaffirm my commitment to building a well-equipped and truly professional military that embodies our nation’s pride,” Tinubu vowed.
This groundbreaking event not only lays the foundation for physical infrastructure but also signals a renewed hope for a stronger and more secure Nigeria.
Besides the events and occasions highlighted already, the week was loaded with other very significant events, including the announcement of forty-five appoints into various federal government agency offices on Friday, as well welcoming three new ambassadors to Nigeria, including that of Finland, to whom he spoke on the arrest of Simon Ekpa openly, for the first time.
A new week starts today, coming with its own activities. Like I always say, let us wait to see what it holds.
