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HYPREP Interfaces With Ogoni Church Leaders

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For the first time in its history, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has interfaced with Ogoni church leaders drawn from four local government areas of Rivers State, as a way of keeping them abreast of what it is currently doing in Ogoniland and carrying them along in the scheme of affairs.
The meeting, which attracted several church leaders from the Ogoni ethnic nationality was held at Casoni Hotels in Port Harcourt recently.
While the church leaders commended HYPREP for the bold initiative to interact with them for the first time, they urged the Project to involve them in its activities, as they are important stakeholders in the development trajectory of Ogoniland.
To facilitate robust interface and participation with the agency on a regular basis in what is currently going on in Ogoniland, they said mobility was key, and requested for provision of a bus to ease their movement as a group.
They essentially praised HYPREP for the several projects and programmes it is carrying out in the area, and urged it to build an Ecumenical Centre in Ogoniland, to enable the people of God from the area to congregate on a regular basis irrespective of their denominations.
The church leaders also noted that as Ministers of God, they are more in touch with the people at the grassroots, who are mostly peasants, and therefore, lend helping hands to them to cushion the effects of the harsh economic conditions in the country. This, they said underscores the need for HYPREP to carry them along in its empowerment programmes.
The church leaders, who spoke at the event included the Chairman of Ogoni Church Leaders Council and Bishop of the Diocese of Ogoni Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Solomon Gberegbara; the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) Representative for Gokana and Area Superintendent of Apostolic Church, Apostle Joseph Leemfe; and the President of Ogoni Ministers, Peace and Advocacy Forum, Venerable Joseph B.Johngbo.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey thanked the men of God for gracing the occasion, and assured them of the readiness of the Project to always carry them along. He said it was intended to seek for their guidance and support.
He explained that HYPREP decided to interface with them considering the important place they occupy in the Ogoni society, and urged them to disseminate relevant information on the activities of the Project in Ogoniland to the people through their respective platforms.
Zabbey used the forum to brief the church leaders on the core mandate of HYPREP, as enunciated in the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, as well as how it has kept faith with the recommendations therein to give the Ogoni people a new lease of life.
He enumerated the several projects and programmes the agency is carrying out in Ogoniland, contending that the Project is even going beyond its mandate by accommodating communities not impacted by oil pollution, especially in the provision of potable water for the people.
Similarly, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has organised a procurement and business strategy workshop for Ogoni entrepreneurs to enable them to take full advantage of the benefits accruing from the procurement sector of the economy in the country.
The workshop, which took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt recently, attracted participants from all walks of life.
Speaking at the occasion, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said the ultimate goal of the workshop is to ensure that there is a thriving ecosystem in Ogoniland so as to address low community participation in the activities of HYPREP.
According to him, there is the need for Ogoni people to understand the procurement intricacies and nuances in the competitive market of bidding for HYPREP’s jobs and contracts, stressing that the workshop is also intended to address community quota concerns.
Zabbey, therefore, urged the beneficiaries to come together to build business partnerships and clusters, as well as relay and teach others what they had learnt.

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
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Niger Delta

C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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