News

HYPREP’s Centre Of Excellence Construction Hits 80% Completion Rate

Published

16 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says the construction of its Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) has reached 80 percent completion rate.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint during the presentation ceremony of the report of the Technical Planning Committee for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration in Port Harcourt, said establishing the centre is one of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
He noted that the presentation of the committee report to the Project Coordination Office is timely because the construction of the centre has reached an impressive 80 percent completion rate.
He recalled that the Technical Planning Committee to develop a sustainable framework for operationalising the CEER was inaugurated on May 31,2024, saying, “we appreciate the dedication and expertise of the committee members, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a robust and comprehensive plan for the institution.”
Zabbey thanked the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal whose wisdom and guidance, he said have ensured that HYPREP remains on track, as well as all members of the committee for their commitment, expertise and hard work in developing the report, stressing that the committee members’ collective effort has been instrumental in shaping the vision for the Centre of Excellence, ensuring that it meets global standards for environmental research, capacity building and remediation practices.
He noted that the diverse knowledge and skills each of the members had brought to the assignment had significantly contributed to the quality of the recommendations contained in the report.
According to him, the report includes the administrative structure, the framework programmes and activities at the centre, staffing and recruitment strategy, research, Internationalisation and sustainability strategy and the advisory document on the legal framework for the establishment of the centre.
The Project Coordinator explained that establishing the centre is a monumental step forward in the remediation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland and beyond, adding that the centre would serve as a hub for innovative research, skill development and environmental management, providing sustainable pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration solutions.
“For Ogoniland, this means a cleaner environment, improved public health, and opportunities for economic empowerment through skills training and employment.Nationally, the centre will position Nigeria as a leader in environmental remediation and restoration, fostering innovation and best practices in pollution management primarily through the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre housed in CEER,” he said.
He disclosed that HYPREP will expand the centre’s original remediation-related laboratories to include biotechnology, in line with the Federal Government’s directive of the project contributing to national food security, saying a biotechnology laboratory at the centre would enhance phyto remediation studies and crop improvement research, to contribute to national food security and sovereignty.
He said the report of the technical committee would be forwarded to the Governing Council of HYPREP for the review and consideration of the recommendations, and expressed optimism that the council would appreciate the depth of work done and importance of expediting the next steps towards immediate operationalisation of the centre.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof Roseline Konya, said while speaking with newsmen that the centre of excellence is going to have a great impact in the lives of the people of Ogoniland, and expressed delight that it has come to reality.
According to her, the first day the committee members visited the project site, in the course of their work, they were impressed with what was on ground.
“That visit had increased my years because when you have something, you have a plan, you see it on ground, it is no longer on paper, it is very exciting,” she said.
She further noted that she is certain that the centre of excellence is going to make a great impact in Ogoniland because she had been there in the very beginning when the UNEP Report on Ogoniland was presented.
According to her, the CEER and other projects were in the report.
“You begin to imagine when this will materialise,” she intoned.

By: Donatus Ebi

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

14 hours ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.