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HYPREP Explains Distribution Of Cookstoves To Women

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has given reasons for the distribution of cook stoves to Ogoni women as part of activities to mark this year’s International Mangrove Day. The day is celebrated on July 26 every year.
While marking the day, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that the cookstove project is a strategic initiative designed to discourage the cutting down of mangroves and reduce reliance on mangroves for fuel, thereby preserving the mangrove ecosystem.
Zabbey noted that while commemorating the day, HYPREP launched the Grow coon as a sustainable alternative to using single-use plastics to nurse mangrove seedlings and also distributed the cookstoves to Ogoni women.
He said the International Mangrove Day is dedicated to raising awareness about mangrove ecosystems’ significance, threats and sustenance, stressing that this year’s celebration was significant, as the world is halfway into the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration.
According to him, mangroves are a critical ecosystem requiring restoration and are vital for maintaining coastal biodiversity; protecting shorelines; mitigating climate change; and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
He said mangroves provide vital resources like timber, firewood, and medicinal plants, and support fisheries production, contending that the Niger Delta, which has the largest expanse of mangroves in Africa faces significant threats of oil pollution; spread of nipa palm; unsustainable harvesting; habitat fragmentation; urbanisation(reclamation and conversion); dredging; and climate change.
The Project Coordinator revealed that HYPREP has started restoring oil-degraded mangroves in Ogoniland, with a pilot area of 560 hectares.
He further explained that HYPREP’s mandate includes the remediation of oil-polluted sites, restoration of ecosystems, provision of potable water, and improvement of livelihoods in Ogoniland.
Zabbey listed the key achievements of HYPREP relating to mangroves to include the assessment of over 3,000 hectares of oil-impacted shorelines; commencement of the clean-up of 1,747 hectares of the assessed shoreline; piloting the mangrove rehabilitation of 560 hectares; and training of 90 mangrove vanguards and supporting them in setting up mangrove nurseries.
He also disclosed that HYPREP has published user-friendly manuals for mangrove restoration in the Niger Delta, and also created and funded environment clubs in secondary schools in Ogoniland to sustain education, awareness and sensitisation on the risks of wetland degradation.
Zabbey noted that while significant progress has been made so far, the future of mangrove conservation in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta depends on sustained efforts and commitment from various stakeholders, including the government, local communities, NGOs, and the private sector.
He said ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the mangrove ecosystems in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta requires key strategies, saying HYPREP would continue to encourage sustainable land use and management practices and also continues to empower local communities to participate actively in mangrove conservation.
Zabbey said it would also continue to support research and innovation on mangrove ecology, restoration techniques, and the impacts of pollution, which are essential for developing effective conservation strategies.
According to him, innovative approaches and technologies can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of remediation efforts.
He said sustainable income is another key strategy required for the health and resilience of the mangrove ecosystems in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta, adding that HYPREP is working towards baseline carbon sequestration data in coastal communities on the carbon credit market.
According to him, with the collaboration of other stakeholders, this opportunity would grant communities access to sustainable income for social development.
Commenting on the international collaboration strategy, he said global cooperation and partnerships can provide the technical expertise, financial resources and knowledge exchange needed to support mangrove conservation in Ogoniland.
“International organisations and donor agencies play a key role in supporting local efforts. Through sustained commitment, and collaborative action, it is possible to restore the health of mangrove ecosystems, secure the livelihoods of local communities, and ensure a resilient future for Ogoniland and the Niger Delta,” he said.

Donatus Ebi

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NCSU Consoles Elder Statesman Over Daughter’s Death …Tasks Elected Unit Executives On Service Delivery

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The Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has extended its condolence to an elder statesman in Rivers State, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe over the untimely death of his daughter during child birth, describing it as saddening and unfortunate, and called on the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) chieftain to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
This is even as NCSU has called on the newly elected executives of the union at the unit level and Ministries in the State Civil Service, to be dedicated to their duties, as well as deliver services that would further help the State to retain its prime position in the comity of States.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in Port Harcourt, said the union seriously empathises and sympathises with Chief Sara-Igbe over the daughter’s death, and urged him never to allow the sad incident to weigh him down, but to remain strong, firm and resolute in championing the cause of Rivers State even in the face of such a tragedy.
Osumah noted that the union is particularly sad over the unfortunate incident, because of the kind of support Chief Sara-Igbe has been giving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing him as a true pillar of strength to the Governor, and enjoined him to continue to contribute meaningfully to the progress and development of the State in spite of obvious challenges and drawbacks.
According to him, history would be kind to Chief Sara-Igbe, when the chips are down, owing to his immense contributions to the State and also for standing on the side of truth, justice, equity and fairness,when it matters most.
Commenting on the election of new unit executives of the union, Osumah said he was glad over the development, and urged the new union officials to be good ambassadors of their units and the union.
He said delivering selfless services to the people of the State should always be their priority, and congratulated them on their successful elections.

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RSG Donates Transformer To Rehabilitation Centre

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The Rivers State Government has donated a 500KVA transformer to the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The State Commissioner for Power, Prince Solomon Abel Eke, who handed over the transformer to the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mr Illamu Arugu thanked Governor Siminalaye Fubara for the approval and release of the transformer, adding that it would go a long way in solving the power problem at the centre.
“I want to thank God for the Governor that we have, who takes time to look at things meticulously and ensures that our people get service for what they are doing”.
He said following the request by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation for a transformer for the rehab centre, a team of engineers from the Ministry of Power were sent to the area to take cognizance of everything that they need.
“I can assure you that what we are doing or what we are going to do here is going to put to rest everything about power.
“The capacity of this transformer you have here will take care of you even the neighbouring enviroment”, Abel Eke said.
He emphasised the need for them to preserve the transformer, stressing that the transformer has the capacity to generate and distribute electricity within  the centre and neighborhood.
The commissioner warned them against allowing people to scale their fence to either vandalise or steal the transformer and described the gesture as a road map for constant power supply in the State.
“We are the only State that has three generating stations in the entire nation and we practically moving towards enjoying 24 hour- power supply in Rivers State”, he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, MrArugu Illamu who was elated for the donation, said it was based on a request by the rehabilitation centre, when he visited the area recently.
Illamu equally thanked Governor Fubara for the gesture and the promptness to which their request was attended to and noted that it was coming at a time the people needed the transformer badly.
He said even caregivers in the centre also needed power, adding that “it is coming at a time that they need it most”.
Mr Ilamu also commended the Governor for approving transformer to the Safe Home, Borokiri, adding that the Governor has so far given approval for the three transformers requested by the Ministry and prayed that the last transformers for the Children Home and Remand Home should be delivered as well for them to have some level of succour.
He said the gesture will go a long way to alleviate the sufferings of the people by allowing them to enjoy what he called “ the basics of life”.

Iriebe John Bibor

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Community Hails Fubura Over Perm Sec’s Appointment

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The people of Ogbogolo kingdom in Ahoada -West Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the appointment of their i daughter, Dr. Mrs Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu as the Permanent Secretary of theMinistry of Education.
The Paramount Ruler of the community, King James Rowland, Obenema-Ibe III of Ogbogolo Kingdom made the commendation when he led a delegation of elite members of his kingdom on a courtesy visit to the office of the Permanent Secretary at the State Secretariat complex in Port Harcourt, Wednesday.
The Paramount Ruler asserted that Dr Uzoma-Nwogu was the first person from his Kingdom to be given an enviable appointment as a Permanent Secretary, stressing that Ogbogolo Kingdom is very appreciative of the Governor for the honour done to their daughter and the Kingdom at large.
He further prayed God Almighty to give her the wisdom and grace to carry out her duties effectively as would be required by her office and later presented her with an award of honour in recognition of her appointment as Permanent Secretary.
Also speaking, one of the elites in the Kingdom and university lecturer,Dr. Arobo R.C Amachree ,who is the Head of Department of Physics, Rivers State University described the elevation of Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu as meritorious and thanked the Governor for remembering the people of Ogbogolo and prayed God’s wisdom on His Excellency to continue to govern the state while pledging their support.
In her response, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Uzoma-Nwogu thanked her kinsmen for identifying with and for the respect and honour they accorded her and solicited for their support and prayers.

Akujobi Amadi

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