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HYPREP Harps On Wetlands’ Protection

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As the global community celebrated the 2024 World Wetlands Day recently, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP) has emphasised the need to protect wetlands in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region and Ogoniland.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication in a statement in Port Harcourt to mark this year’s World Wetlands Day, said the theme of the celebration, ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ resonates deeply with Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant wetlands that play vital role in supporting biodiversity and the livelihoods of communities, adding that HYPREP takes the opportunity to highlight the critical importance of wetlands in Nigeria’s rich and diverse ecosystem, the Niger Delta.
According to him, the change in attitude towards the environment, sustainable use of the ecosystems and co-management of ecological infrastructure by communities are essential components of a sustainable wetlands restoration regime.
He, therefore, posited that all stakeholders must work together to implement sustainable practices that protect and restore these vital ecosystems for the benefit of the current and future generations, stressing that HYPREP is committed to raising awareness about the significance of wetlands and advocating for their protection.
While calling on the government at all levels, civil society organisations, businesses, communities and the public to join hands in preserving these critical ecosystems, Zabbey said, “Our collective efforts can contribute to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly those related to clean water and life on land and underwater, as well as climate action”.
The Project Coordinator further indicated that HYPREP encourages individuals and communities to engage in activities that promote wetland conservation, such as clean-up drives, educational programmes and tree-planting initiatives.
“Working together, we can ensure that wetlands continue to thrive for the benefit of the current and future generations. We therefore urge you to appreciate the beauty and importance of wetlands and please, to be stewards of these ecosystems,” he pleaded.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration recognises wetlands as critical to all facets of human wellbeing, including psychological, mental, social and spiritual, stressing that it underscores the intrinsic value of wetland ecosystems to sustainable development and human wellbeing.
“Wetlands, including mangroves, lagoons, creeks, ponds, rivers, associated seasonal water bodies, sustain life, foster biodiversity, and ensure the health and prosperity of our communities through their regulatory, provisioning, protecting, replenishing and sustaining functions,” he said.
Zabbey hinted that over 4,000 hectares of mangroves have been destroyed by decades of oil spills in Ogoniland alone, which he said has exacerbated poverty, as traditional livelihoods dependent on healthy mangroves are destroyed.
According to him, the degradation of these crucial ecosystems poses risks to biodiversity and compromises the wellbeing of communities that depend on wetlands for their survival.
He noted that a range of these ecosystems exists in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region, where they contribute to the sustenance of various local cultures, offering valuable resources for fishing, agriculture, traditional and spiritual activities.
The Project Coordinator said mangroves typically serve as natural buffers against floods; store and purify water as well as provide food and habitat for various plant and animal species, adding that despite their invaluable contributions, wetlands face numerous threats, including urbanisation, reclamation for social projects, plastic and crude oil pollution, deforestation, dredging and the impact of climate change.
Zabbey disclosed that HYPREP has taken bold steps to restore hectares of shoreline and mangrove ecosystems in Ogoniland, which have been degraded, by undertaking a preliminary shoreline clean-up assessment of over 3,000 hectares of shoreline; conducting a chemical characterisation of oil levels in the sediment; delineating the 3,000 hectares of the assessed shoreline into 833 grids; and starting the process of remediating 1,747 hectares of the 3,000 hectares.
According to him, the Project has also piloted mangrove rehabilitation of 460 hectares while at the same time providing skill training to 5,000 Ogoni youths, including artisanal refiners, to create alternative livelihoods, as a means to prevent recontamination of remediated ecosystems.
He further hinted that 90 Ogoni youths and women have been trained in mangrove restoration and empowered with grants to set mangrove nurseries, while HYPREP has also created and funded Environment Clubs in secondary schools in Ogoniland, to sustain its education, awareness and sensitisation campaigns on the risks of wetland degradation.

 

Donatus Ebi

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Monarch Hails Fubara Over Road Project

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Ogene of Asa Asi Asaga Community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Andrew Enemuwa, has expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for the award of the contract for construction of Igiri- Ubimini-Egbeda-Elele road project.
Eze Enemuwa said the people of the local government are proud associating with a visionary leader like Governor Fubara whose interest in the development of his people knows no bounds.
The monarch, also the Secretary of Ogba Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Council said the unprecedented crowd of ONELGA people that attended the event shows that Governor Fubara is greatly loved and cherished by the people.
The Eze Dike Di Nu Obi of Ogbaland said the presence of the traditional rulers at the event speaks volumes.
The Okene Asa Kaka urged the people of the area to support Governor Fubara to attract more development to the local government area.

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1,680 Children Abducted In Nigeria -UNICEF

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As Nigeria marks 10 years anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls, the United Nations Children Fund( UNICEF) has  put the number of abducted children at different schools within the last 10 years in Nigeria at 1,680.
The organisation said this at an event it organised in conjunction with the Faculty of Media and Communications Studies in the University of Port Harcourt to mark the 10 years anniversary of Chibok girls abductions.
According to UNICEF release read by Communication officer, UNICEF Nigeria Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onuoha Ogwe, 180 children were killed within the period under review due to attacks on schools, while an estimated 60 school Staff were kidnapped,14 killed and more than 70 attacks on schools.
It urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify effort towards the rescue of the 90 remaining Chibok girls.
UNICEF described the Chibok girls saga as a wakeup call to the severe risks children face in their pursuit of education
‘Today, reflecting on this tragedy and other recent abductions, it is evident that our efforts to safeguard our children’s future must be amplified
“Given this alarming statistics, we must address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of this crisis,” it said.
UNICEF also said that the threat of abduction of students is severely affecting children’s learning.
“As at 2021, over one million children were afraid to return to school and in 2020, around 11,500 schools were closed due to attacks”, it said.
It called on the government and the international community to ensure that all schools have the resources and tools to fully implement the minimum standards for safe schools, focus on the most vulnerable regions and address critical gaps in safe schools infrastructure.
UNICEF also called for preparedness for natural disasters, conflicts and comprehensive approaches to violence against children.
Others include, strengthening law enforcement and security measures to protect educational institutions and communities from attacks and abduction, prioritising education and child protection in national policies and budget allocations to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all Nigerian children and ensure the continuity of education and learning when schools are shut through multiple learning pathways such as radio and TV programme and through digital platforms the Nigerian learning Passport.
Ogwe said UNICEF is working with the Nigerian Government to ensure that every child can access safe learning environment.
“The agency has supported the inauguration of state safe school steering committees and the drafting of state costed implementation plans for safe schools in 13 States.
“It also provides school grants, safety kits training and awareness raising to accelerate the implementation of the minimum standards for safe schools.
“As we remember the Chibok girls and all children whose rights to education have been compromised, let this somber anniversary serves as a catalyst for change”, UNICEF said.
Speaking with The Tide, Dr Nwachukwu Ginikanwa said the anniversary should serve as a wakeup call to the authorities to take the issue of security seriously.

John Bibor

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Fubara Has Rekindled Rivers Hope-Former Envoy

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As the one year anniversary of the Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration in Rivers State draws closer, a former Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, Amb.Oji Ngofa, says the Governor has rekindled the hope of Rivers people.
Amb. Ngofa said within the one year of the administration, the Governor has shown a sense of connecting the people and the government unlike the immediate past administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike.
The former Deputy National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) explained that within one year, Rivers people are seeing a visionary leadership whose imagination is essentially focused on the desire to improve the lives of the people, with the sole aim of creating an economy where everyone can participate.
Speaking in an interview in Port Harcourt, the forrmer Ambassador said Governor Fubara has been able to engage relevant stakeholders and sectors of the State which, according to him, remains the hallmark of leadership.
He emphasised that with Governor Fubara, no doubt, Rivers State is in safe hands, saying with Governor Fubara, there is the likelihood that the State would be greater than other States.
He noted that the Governor’s vision to develop and give capacity to the people in order to participate in the economy as well as creating the enabling environment for business to flourish in the State, coupled with his peaceful nature, have all combined to endear him to the people.
Amb Ngofa said real power comes from how well one is connected with the people through good leadership, and the people on their own voluntarily surrender to you just as Governor Fubara has demonstrated within the past one year, stressing that that has informed his decision as an astute politician just like all well-meaning Rivers people to align with the Governor in order to move the State forward .
He described Governor Fubara’s milestones in infrastructure, human capital development, health and agriculture as monumental.
Amb Ngofa urged the Governor to ensure his revitalisa- tion programme on Songhai Farms extends to Buguma and Andoni fish farms and Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), and expand on the initiative, as it is critical in job creation for the teeming youths of the State.
“ In his one year in office as governor, Rivers people have seen the difference in terms of governance and total departure from self. Now Rivers people are having easy access to their governor. His focus is on policies and programmes that are capable of revitalising the economy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Rivers people, not just one man. Projects are springing up in all parts of the State, not necessarily in Port Harcourt and Obio,/ Akpor. All in just one year despite the distractions”, he said.

The Port Harcourt ring road loan to small skill medium businesses are one of the biggest achievements of his administration
Aleto- Woji road abandoned by the last administration had been carried on by a government that has interest of the people at heart
Despite the destruction ,he had demonstrated sense of focus on his primary duties as a governor
We are not just seeing monumental projects ,Rivers people are seeing total commitment to create an economy that will enable Rivers people to have a hold on there lives especially with projects like revitalizing Shonghai ,plaintain farms .
It is critical focusing on human capital development .I am aware of his programme of revitalising the economy ,state owned industries through public private partnership
Rivers people hope had been rekindled and those of us who are critic to the governor Wike led administration had been vindicated
Urging Eleme people to support the administration of governor Fubara to achieve their common dream which is development.

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