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Stakeholders Seek Review Of Ogoni Power Project …Give HYPREP’s Project Coordinator Confidence Vote

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11 months ago

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Key Ogoni stakeholders have stressed the need for the review of the ongoing Ogoni power project to make it cost effective and efficient as well as ensure that power supply to Ogoniland is stable and regular.
This is even as they also passed a vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey for the excellent manner he has been running the affairs of the Project.
The stakeholders, who made their position known during HYPREP’s Project Review Meeting at De Edge Hotel in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, said the Ogoni power project has already gulped a huge chunk of funds, adding that what HYPREP should be preoccupied with is generation of power for the area rather than transmission.
A former member of HYPREP’s Board of Trustees and Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Peter Medee, who set the tone for the discussion on the power project in his intervention, said there is need for the power project to be reviewed in such a way that a gas plant would rather be installed in Ogoniland in order to achieve stable and regular power supply in the area.
To buttress his point, Medee cited the case of Aba in Abia State, which is today enjoying uninterrupted power supply.
According to him, it would not make any  economic sense for huge funds to continue to be spent on connecting Ogoniland to the national electrity grid, then, at the end of the day, the people would enjoy less than five hours of power supply daily.
Medee further noted that Ogoniland boasts of huge deposits of gas, to warrant a successful review of the power project, transiting from the national grid to gas turbine, which he said would be able to provide stable power to the area.
While moving a motion for the stakeholders to pass a vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator, following his good works, the university teacher indicated that stability was necessary in the leadership of HYPREP, stressing that would enable the Project Coordinator to continue to do his work uninterrupted.
“We no longer want a change in the leadership of HYPREP,” he intoned.
His submission was greeted with a thunderous applause by the participants.
Toeing the line of reasoning of  Medee, the Paramount Ruler of Barako Community, Mene Kadilo Kabari and former Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon John Bazia corroborated the fact that Ogoniland is rich in gas deposits, which would facilitate the supply of stable and regular power to the area.
Former Commissioner for Environment, Prof Roseline Konya and the President of Ogoni Mothers, Chief Priscilia Vikue, spoke glowingly about the Project Coordinator, and made a case for Ogoni women who they said have what it takes to be included in the execution of projects.
According to them, HYPREP should give attention and thought to what happens to Ogoni during the post remediation era.
On their part, former President of the Movement for the Survival of  Ogoni People (MOSOP), Mr Lergborsi Pygbara, and Prof Ben Naneh highlighted the importance of sustainability in all that HYPREP is doing in Ogoniland.
Also speaking,  former Vice Chairman of Gokana Local Government Council, Hon Maurice Pronen, who represented Senator Magnus Abe at the occasion, harped on the need for HYPREP to sustain its engagement and collaboration with stakeholders and communities in driving the Ogoni clean-up project.
Youth groups in Ogoniland at the event also lent their voices to the call for stability in the leadership of HYPREP, and equally passed a resounding vote of confidence on the Project Coordinator.
The Chairman of the Joint Representative Council of Ogoni Youths Groups(JRC), Mr Amabu Lidogo and the Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Mr Imeabe Saviour Oscar commended HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for the good works going on in Ogoniland.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the status of project implementation by HYPREP in Ogoniland by Mr Ifiok Ndiyo, who represented the Head of the Evaluation and Monitoring Unit of HYPREP, Mr Akeem Ottan.
Ndiyo gave an overview of all the projects and programmes HYPREP has been carrying out in Ogoniland including their current status.
While stressing the need for all stakeholders and Ogoni people to support the Project, Ndiyo listed the challenges the agency has been encountering in the course of executing its mandates, and called for a change of attitude.
The Project Coordinator,  Prof Deinibarini Zabbey, had earlier in his opening address said the aim of the meeting was to update the stakeholders on work progress as a way of comprehensively review the projects and activities, saying, “Your feedback is valuable to the overall success of HYPREP.”
He noted that he was grateful for the stakeholders’ continuous support and active participation in the Project, stressing that “Our progress thus far would not have been possible without your input and cooperation.Your interest and understanding are the bedrock upon which we build our efforts to heal and rejuvenate the Ogoni environment, livelihoods, and peace.”
Zabbey said over the past months, HYPREP has made notable strides in various facets  of the project implementation process, saying, the land and shoreline remediation process is ongoing; preliminary assessment of the complex sites has commenced; while the pilot mangrove restoration of over 500 hectares is going well.
The Project Coordinator listed some of the communal-related challenges affecting the smooth progression of the Project’s work, and announced that HYPREP would in the next few weeks train traditional rulers and other key stakeholders on Alternative Dispute Resolution and peace building techniques to increase their capacity to deal with emergency issues at the community level in a way that aligns with the Project’s objectives.
Donatus Ebi
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RSU Admits 11,083 Students For 2024/2025 Academic Session

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3 weeks ago

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March 28, 2025

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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

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Fubara’s Kinsman Denounce The Suspension Of Democratically Elected Officials

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3 weeks ago

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March 28, 2025

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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.

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Rivers

Rivers Youths Urge Sole Administrator To Convene Summit

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 28, 2025

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Youths under the banner of “Rivers Ijaw Youths” have urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator,  Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete  Ibas, (rtd) to convene a youth summit.
President of the youth body, Chief Maxwell Deinma, in a live radio chat in Port Harcourt said the youth summit is expected to avail the Sole Administrator the needs and aspirations of youths in the state, and also reduce tension.
Deinma lamented that youths in the state have over the years been sidelined in terms of employment and empowerment, hence the the call for the new administrator to use his tenure to correct the narrative.
In addition to that, he stated that a youth summit will also give the administrator  area of focus and blueprint on how to empower the huge young population in the state.
He advised the new administrator to avoid engaging in partisan politics by staying neutral and focusing on his assignment of ensuring that peace returns to the state.
“I will urge him to have just three areas of focus: he should ensure that youths, peace, and development should be given attention in the next six months”, he said.
The Rivers Ijaw Youths leader challenged Ijaw elders to discard their selfish interests and pursue the general interest of Ijaw people.
He attributed the political tension in Rivers State to the failure of Ijaw leaders to speak in one voice.
Expressing displeasure over the emphasis on politics, while ignoring other areas of development, Chief Deinma argued that politicians in the State have jettisoned key developmental matters of state concern and are after their personal interests.
“Such attitude over the years”, he noted, “is responsible for the backward development of Rivers State economically”.
To reverse the trend, he stressed the need for government to focus on agriculture, entertainment and other areas of comparative advantage to transform the state.
Kevin Nengia
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