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Clean-Up: HYPREP Cautions Against Remediated Sites’ Re-Pollution …As Contractor Recovers 22m Litres Of Crude From Spill Sites
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on the people of Ogoni to desist from activities capable of jeopardising the ongoing remediation of polluted sites in Ogoniland.
The Information Officer of HYPREP, Mr. Kpoobari Nafo, said this during an inspection of remediation sites and water supply projects by members of Oil Watch International.
Nafo stressed that the ongoing activities in the various remediation sites and water supply schemes in Eleme, Tai, Gokana, and Khana Local government areas, were indications that the Federal Government was sincere on the project.
He also advised companies in the oil sector operating in Nigeria and beyond to always maintain international best practices and ensure swift response to oil spills, to avoid unnecessary pollution of land.
“We have taken some non-governmental organisations from across Africa to our remediation sites. And they are very much satisfied with what they have seen.
“Re-pollution, this is also the issue that we have been talking about and we have been sensitising the communities, making them understand that the environment is theirs.
“So, re-polluting the environment is to their detriment. Although they have been giving us corporations and most of the communities have ensured that those who come to re-pollute their areas are no longer finding it as business as usual. We are making headway in terms of sensitisation so that people do not go back to resolute where we have worked.”
Also, leader of the OilWatch delegation, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, had confirmed that remediation activities in Ogoniland were ongoing, while urging HYPREP to expedite action in remediating the complex sites.
Bassey also expressed excitement over the take-off of the water projects.
“Though it should have been one of the first things for HYPREP to have done as an emergency measure, nevertheless we are happy that it is ongoing right now.
“We are also expecting HYPREP to start tackling the complex sites. Unfortunately, even if you clean up the entire Niger Delta in five years, it will take about three lifetimes to have the environment restored back to normal.”
Bassey said even though Goi community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, was not mentioned in the report of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) on the clean-up of the Ogoni environment, there was the need for the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the community.
It would be recalled that the entire people of Goi community fled their homes in 2004 following the pollution of their environment and frequent fire outbreak due to oil spills on the community river.
Speaking with newsmen at Goi shortly after leading Oilwatch members from several African countries to visit some oil spill sites in Ogoniland, Bassey, said members of the community were living as refugees in other communities in the state.
Bassey said the Goi community has been neglected.
“It has been neglected; the UNEP report didn’t mention Goi at all. You can’t hear Goi appearing in the question of cleaning this territory. This is the prime place where all these could have started.
“Goi people are living as refugees because you can’t see buildings here. Buildings here were destroyed by fire, pollution and neglect. You can’t stay here for two hours and remain healthy because the hydrocarbon is very thick in the air we are breathing.
“The Goi community needs attention and the government should not wait any further before adding this. Whether UNEP mentioned it or not, the government cannot shut its eye to this community.”
However, more than 22 million litres of crude oil were recovered from the spill site in Bodo community in GokanaLocal Government Area of Rivers State between 2017 and 2019 as part of ongoing clean-up of the environment.
The clean-up of Bodo oil spill, which occurred in 2008 and 2009, is being carried out by multinational oil giant, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) while the Hydrocarbon Protection and Remediation Project (HYPREP) is handling the other spill sites in Ogoniland.
The Project Manager of one of the contractors handling the clean-up exercise, Giolee Environmental Services, Dr Evidence Enoch, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at Patrick Tekuru Waterside, Bodo.
Enoch stated that while 20million litres of crude oil were recovered during the “Boom and Recovery” stage of the clean-up in 2017, over two million litres were recovered during the second stage of the exercise.
He said, “We started this exercise in 2017, and we recovered crude, debris and sand under the Boom and Recovery stage. We recovered up to 20million litres.
“In 2019, under the second stage of the clean-up, we recovered over two million litres of crude oil. This crude was recycled and was re-injected into the system. It was sold as normal crude.”
Similarly, the Ogoni struggle has gained the attention of an international non-governmental organisation based in Turkey, with sympathy to train youths in the area on skills acquisition with specifics on agriculture and other food-based nutrients.
This was disclosed in Abuja by the Senior Adviser to the President of the International Conference of Agriculture and Food (ICAF), Turkey, IdilSaguner, in a brief ceremony organised by its Nigeria’s partner, the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI).
Speaking with Journalists, Saguner said the ICAF was happy to train as many youths in Ogoni land as well as youths from the Niger Delta region, adding that the gesture will help to positively engage youths from the region and end youth restiveness.
Saguner said: “We have studied the Ogoni people with kin interest and it is time for us to contribute our own quota to the development of these youths in other to end youth unemployment in the region”.
On his part, the President of Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI), Dr.Fabeke Douglas, said the partnership became imperative as youths in the region have suffered neglect from the Nigerian government.
Fabeke said despite the huge oil deposit in the region, the people have been grossly abandoned with their land polluted hindering youths to engage in farming, fishing and other activities to earn a living.
He said with the assistance from the Turkish-based ICAF, youths will find a new way of living.
“Travelling to Turkey will help broaden their horizon and change their thinking. We are taking 150 of them abroad as first set and subsequently others will follow.
“We have no support from government, only goodwill from spirited Nigerians kept us going.
“The diversification of our economy, especially the Agricultural Sector and Solid Minerals are viable sectors that must be explored. If government borrows to create industries and new industrial cities that will help our economy and create employment for our citizens, it will be the ideal thing to end insecurity that is ravaging our country.
“We hope that government will complement our effort so as to pacify the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region in general”, Fabeke said.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
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Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.