Rivers

HYPREP Partners Rwandan Institution On Mangrove Restoration …Trains Over 2,000 Ogonis On Shoreline Clean-Up.

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2023

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), says it is collaborating with the School of Wildlife Conservation in Rwanda for the restoration of oil polluted mangroves in Ogoniland.
This is even as it says it is currently training over 2,000 Ogoni youths on shoreline clean-up in Kpor, headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint while speaking with newsmen during a town hall meeting in Bomu Community in Gokana Local Government Area last Wednesday said the agency is collaborating with the school for the mangrove restoration project, which he noted is starting with Bomu Community.
He noted that the mangroves are destroyed in most areas in Ogoniland, while there are still a few areas with pockets of community reserved mangroves, stressing that there are three such communities where HYPREP would quantify the carbon stock both above and below the ground.
According to him, the collaboration with the Rwandan school is a win-win collaboration as the institution would send its interns to Nigeria for HYPREP to mentor them while the agency would in turn send some of its staff to Rwanda to learn how to quantify carbon.
Zabbey further indicated that when such staff return, they would start the quantification process for the agency.
He said HYPREP is expected to interface with critical stakeholders from seven shoreline communities in Ogoniland before embarking on the mangrove restoration proper; stressing that it was part of the reason for the town hall meeting in Bomu Community.
The Project Coordinator explained that the mangrove restoration project would cover over 450 hectares of the land across Ogoniland, adding that the importance of the mangrove resources to the wellbeing of people can never be over-emphasised.
According to him, mangroves are very important in terms of detecting climate change, as they act as sink of carbon.
Zabbey further revealed that HYPREP’s management efforts in Ogoniland are anchored on two major pillars which include the restoration pillar and the conservation pillar.
He said mangroves have both environmental and economic values whose benefits can not be quantified, saying, they are to the local communities what reclamation of lands to check erosion is to government for development purposes.
The Project Coordinator noted that the mangroves are places where the local community people get their livelihoods, as they depend on them for food, energy and protection of their shorelines.
Zabbey also used the opportunity to visit Government Secondary School, Kpor where over 2,000 young men and women are undergoing training on shoreline clean-up.
While addressing them, he explained that the training is intended to equip them for the task ahead, and urged them to take it seriously by actively participating in it.
He said the Ogoni clean-up project adheres to international best practices and global standards as those being trained would at the end of the day be awarded International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) certificates 1 and 2.
According to him, the certificates would empower the beneficiaries for life in keeping with HYPREP’s sustainable livelihood policy.
He disclosed that another training was going on concurrently and that another batch of trainees would come on board for similar training at the end of the current exercise, and hinted that over 20,000 community workers would be provided the necessary tools to participate in the clean-up of the polluted environment in Ogoniland.

By: Donatus Ebi

Rivers

Eld Ogbu Bags Adventists Men Award…Pledge For Humanitarian Service

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.

Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.

Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.

Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.

Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.

In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more

He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.

Rivers

Rivers Landlords Petitions IG Over Alleged Move to Demolish Their Estate

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.

The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.

Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.

Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.

Rivers

NLNG, NCDMB Launch ICT Hub To Boost Tech Skills In Nigeria

Published

3 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.