Nation
HYPREP Moves To Offer Postgraduate Scholarships To Ogoni Students
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says its postgraduate scholarship scheme for Ogoni students is expected to commence this month.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey, who gave the indication while addressing participants during a quarterly interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, said as part of HYPREP’s expanded livelihood programme, it is rolling out the new scholarship scheme as a new initiative to provide local postgraduate scholarship support to Ogoni students starting in October 2024.
He noted that the scholarship programme is a significant development, as HYPREP’s objective is to empower Ogoni youths to pursue advanced education in fields that would benefit the Ogoni community and the nation at large.
Zabbey further indicated that HYPREP believes that education is critical to long-term development, saying, this scholarship initiative is designed to create a cadre of skilled professionals in keeping with its effort to develop alternative sources of livelihood for youths who will lead Ogoniland into a green and prosperous future.
The Project Coordinator equally revealed that the livelihood programme also includes support to small and medium-scale businesses, youth training, capacity building and other empowerment initiatives to ensure that as the Project restores the land, it is also building the people’s capacity, especially, that of Ogoni youths, to move up the income ladder.
According to him, HYPREP also has special programmes for people living with disabilities, so as to equip them with the information, skills, education and resources needed to live more meaningfully.
He noted that the quarterly interactive session represents a platform for dialogue and an opportunity for the Project Coordination Office to update the youths on the significant progress in various aspects of the Project, stressing that by hosting the event this time around, HYPREP has again demonstrated that it is a promise keeper.
Zabbey expressed delight that “today, we celebrate progress in remediating hydrocarbon-impacted land; shoreline clean-up; mangrove restoration; and constructing critical infrastructure in Ogoniland, which include the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration; the Ogoni power project; the Ogoni Specialist Hospital; the Buan Cottage Hospital; 14 water schemes; and an array of other special projects that will impact the lives of every Ogoni person.”
The Project Coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of HYPREP to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Assessment Report on Ogoniland.
He disclosed that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration would be operational in 2025, a project, he noted has already become visible on the skyline of Ogoniland, adding that when completed, it would stand as a beacon of cutting-edge research and a repository of the science and art of environmental remediation, placing Ogoniland at the forefront of environmental remediation in Nigeria and across West Africa.
He also revealed that additional water projects would soon be commissioned in more Ogoni communities.
He said the active phase of the Ogoni power project, which would include the construction of electricity towers will commence soon, stressing that HYPREP has surveyed the right of way for the project, while compensation had been paid to property owners in Khana Local Government Area and was at the verge of doing same to Gokana Local Government Area before moving to Tai Local Government Area.
Zabbey further hinted that HYPREP team would soon travel to India over the power project, and assured the youths that the Project is very committed to the power project.
He also disclosed that beneficiaries of the Project’s livelihood programme would soon take delivery of their starter-packs, as consultants have started picking up their letters for that purpose.
While harping on the need for peace, the Project Coordinator told the youths that, “as we continue to work, peace and cooperation must remain at the forefront of all our activities in Ogoniland.”
In his keynote address, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Administration of the Rivers State University, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura listed the various types of temperaments which can influence the actions and behaviours of human beings, and stressed the need for Ogoni people to take advantage of all the projects and programmes being carried out by HYPREP in their domains.
According to him, all the various types of temperaments are useful to the Project.
He, however, advised the youths to always control their temperaments so as to benefit maximally from the projects and programmes.
Lebura also highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying the Project cannot succeed without collaborating with the various stakeholders.
Also speaking, former National Deputy President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Menele Nzidee thanked the youths for their support to the Project Coordinator and his team, and urged them to take ownership of the Project.
He particularly commended HYPREP for the postgraduate scholarship initiative, saying, it is a way of expanding the empowerment scope of the Ogoni people.
Donatus Ebi
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
-
Niger Delta3 days agoPDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority
-
Sports3 days agoSimba open Nwabali talks
-
Nation3 days agoHoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Stakeholders Task INC Aspirants On Dev … As ELECO Promises Transparent, Credible Polls
-
Niger Delta3 days ago
Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River
-
News5 days agoDon Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair
-
Oil & Energy3 days agoNUPRC Unveils Three-pillar Transformative Vision, Pledges Efficiency, Partnership
-
Rivers3 days ago
Fubara Restates Continued Support For NYSC In Rivers