Rivers
HYPREP’s Centre Of Excellence Project Attains 47% Completion
The Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration project, undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, Rivers State has attained 47 percent completion rate.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint during the agency’s first interactive session this year with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt last Thursday, said by developing innovative, cost-effective and sustainable technologies and solutions, that reduce the impact of pollutants on the environment, the centre would serve as a focal point for knowledge management, in the overall goal, by the ability to capture new knowledge and standardise scientific processes and deploy best practices from inside and outside of the business area.He said the Ogoni people would be proud to host the centre on completion.
He also noted that contractors for the mangrove restoration project have moved to site, and have started preliminary revegetation activities in their work area.
The Project Coordinator equally indicated that the water projects commissioned last year by the Minister of Environment in four Ogoni communities have continued to supply potable water to households in neighbouring communities.
He said the Ogoni shoreline clean-up contractors are setting up their base camp on site, adding that the set-up in Bomu Community has been completed while similar activities are ongoing in B-Dere and Kpor-Goi communities.
According to him, the International Maritime Organisation(IMO) training for community workers was expected to have been completed on Friday, March 29, 2024 while active clean-up would follow suit.
He said the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital and Buan cottage hospital is in progress, describing the health projects as beacons of hope for enhanced healthcare services in Ogoniland, stressing that the state-of-the-art health facilities would provide quality medical care to Ogoni people.
The Project Coordinator also hinted that the livelihood training for 5,000 Ogoni youths is ongoing, adding that upon completion, HYPREP would provide starter packs to enable the beneficiaries to continue as entrepreneurs.
He disclosed that the HYPREP’s Governing Council has approved additional funds for trainees’ transportation, saying the monies would accordingly be disbursed to them, contending that in addition to approvals for other training, the Governing Council has also approved the training of people living with disabilities.
Zabbey further revealed that HYPREP is expanding its engagements with various community segments, including fresh graduates, students and the underserved populations, adding that the scholarship grants to final year students, which began last year, would be paid soon.
He said a procurement and business strategy workshop for young entrepreneurs would be organised in the coming weeks, stressing that HYPREP would always acknowledge the pivotal role the Ogoni youths play in the success of the project, saying, “Your energy, innovation and passion are invaluable assets that propel us on this transformation journey”. He, therefore, urged the youths to continue engaging actively in the project and lend their voices, ideas and talents towards building a brighter future.
“We expect that you take advantage of these opportunities on the project to improve your income, academics, career, employability, and entrepreneurial potential and live more meaningfully”, he said.
In his keynote address, Dr Gbenemene Kpae of the Centre of Peace and Security Studies in the University of Port Harcourt, enjoined Ogoni youths to shun violence and always embrace peaceful means and dialogue while making demands, stressing that violence undermines development efforts and also impedes the implementation of projects.
While commending HYPREP for its open door policy, Dr Kpae canvassed and recommended that negotiations by stakeholders should be done in such a way that all the parties involved are satisfied, at the end of the day.
Commenting on the ongoing Ogoni power project, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator hinted that the project is currently on its first phase, which involves putting modalities in place for the generation of power.
According to him, buildings standing on the transmission way, are currently being pulled down, while compensations are also being paid.
He said the second phase of the project would be the distribution stage, and acknowledged that the project had faced some initial hiccups like its contract re-valuation, since it was initially done in naira, without taking cognizance of the fact that some equipment for the project would be imported.
According to Zabbey, since the re-denomination of the contract has been completed, in the coming months, over 30 imported containers would arrive Ogoniland, wherein the people of the area would begin to see the power project’s transmission towers.
“We are on course. The power project is work in progress”, he said.
At the interactive session, of significance was the fact that Ogoni youths, particularly the people living with disabilities, attested that they had never had it so good, and, therefore, passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator.
The leader of the people living with disabilities, as well as the four zonal coordinators of the group, who spoke, denounced a situation where some Ogonis write frivolous petitions against Prof Zabbey and his management team, saying, they would no longer condone that, as the Project Coordinator must be allowed to fully serve his tenure.
By: Donatus Ebi
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.