Nation

HYPREP Moves To Offer Postgraduate Scholarships To Ogoni Students

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2024

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

Nation

REAN, SON synergise to curb fake renewable energy product

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) says it has strengthened collaboration with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to enhance quality control and enforcement frameworks.

Mr Oisereime Lloyd-Dietake, the Head of Communications, REAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the collaboration would also involve stakeholder engagement on testing, certification and capacity building in Nigeria.

He said the synergy would strengthen quality control and enforcement frameworks, promote policy alignment, and ensure stronger regulation across the renewable energy value chain.

“REAN reaffirms its commitment to standardisation and quality assurance; tighter collaboration with SON is critical to eliminating fake and substandard renewable energy products from the Nigerian market.

“Enforcement and gaps in existing standards have continued to allow inferior products to circulate, undermining consumer confidence and slowing sector growth.”

Lloyd-Dietake said that at high-level discussions, REAN also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory coordination to address emerging challenges in the renewable energy space.

According to him, the issues include inconsistencies in standards, affordability issues linked to certification processes; and the increasing presence of substandard solar and renewable energy equipment in the country.

“The association further raised concerns about delays in product testing and approval, calling for the establishment of more testing laboratories and certification facilities to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in the system,’’ he said.

Lloyd-Dietake urged closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and the Rural Electrification Agency.

He said such team work would ensure harmonised standards and more effective enforcement against fake renewable energy products in the Nigerian market.

In response, SON acknowledged the important role REAN continued to play in supporting standardisation within Nigeria’s renewable energy industry and reaffirmed its willingness to deepen collaboration with the association.

SON further confirmed that REAN would be actively involved in future standard review processes and upcoming stakeholder engagements related to renewable energy and electric mobility standards development.

Lloyd-Dietake said REAN affirmed its willingness to formalise the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

He said the MoU is aimed at deepening cooperation, promoting quality assurance, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition towards reliable and standardised renewable energy solutions.

Nation

Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The WASH Systems for Health (WS4H) Programme, implemented by Self Help Africa, has expanded access to safe water and sanitation services for more than 320,000 people in Kano and Cross River States.

The organisation disclosed this on Tuesday at the WS4H National Results and Learning Workshop in Abuja, where stakeholders reviewed achievements and lessons from the intervention.

Speaking at the event, Self Help Africa Country Director, Joy Aderele, said the programme demonstrated that sustainable WASH improvements require strong institutions, effective governance, adequate financing and collaboration.

Aderele said the UK-funded programme was designed to strengthen systems that support sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to her, the intervention focused on improving governance, planning, financing, accountability and sector coordination to ensure resilient service delivery.

“More than 320,000 people now have improved or restored access to water services through programme-supported interventions,” she said.

She added that more than 5,520 household toilets were constructed in Yala and Makoda Local Government Areas, boosting sanitation, public health and efforts to end open defecation.

Aderele said the programme also strengthened public investment in WASH, with Cross River increasing its sector budget by 211 per cent in 2026 and Kano by 169.07 per cent.

She added that dedicated WASH budget lines had been established across 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies in both states, strengthening accountability and institutional commitment.

According to her, both states reviewed and adopted updated WASH policies, while key planning documents were developed to guide future investments and service delivery.

She said Cross River also recorded a major legislative milestone through the passage of the Water Law and Open Defecation Prohibition Bill.

Aderele added that lessons from interventions in Yala LGA were already informing expansion efforts in Obubra Local Government Area.

While commending the achievements, she noted that capacity gaps, resource constraints and climate-related pressures remained challenges to sustainable WASH services.

“The sustainability of these gains will depend on continued government leadership, adequate financing, strong partnerships and investment in institutional capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager of WS4H, Mr Timothy Ibeawuchi, said the intervention focused on strengthening systems needed to sustain gains and attract future investments.

According to him, the programme engages stakeholders in developing strategies that preserve achievements and support long-term service delivery.

“System strengthening work takes time because it addresses the fundamental issues responsible for sustainable and resilient service delivery,” he said.

Ibeawuchi said the programme strengthened policy development, planning, financing, monitoring and evaluation systems across the WASH sector.

He said two pilot local government areas were supported to develop WASH strategic plans outlining sector goals, targets and activities between 2026 and 2030.

According to him, the plans will guide future interventions and improve service delivery in the affected councils.

Earlier, the representative of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Chidera Chukwu, reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s development efforts in spite of the programme nearing completion.

Chukwu commended the Self Help Africa-led consortium for delivering the programme with professionalism and a strong focus on systems strengthening.

He said the consortium contributed greatly to strengthening Nigeria’s WASH sector through policy reforms, improved coordination and enhanced accountability.

“Together, we have advanced key policy and legislative reforms, including open defecation-free laws and strengthened state WASH frameworks,” he said.

According to him, the reforms represent enduring system-level changes that will continue delivering benefits beyond the programme’s lifespan.

In his remarks, Mr Jamilu Habu, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended the programme’s achievements.

Habu, who represented the Permanent Secretary, said the intervention strengthened governance, coordination, evidence-based planning and institutional capacity in the WASH sector.

He described the workshop as an opportunity to review achievements, share lessons and identify pathways for sustaining and scaling successful interventions.

According to him, the programme’s innovations and best practices will guide future policies and investments aimed at expanding access to safe WASH services.

Habu stressed the need for continued collaboration among governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and communities.

He said stronger partnerships remained essential to achieving universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and meeting Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Nation

Lagos Residents Stranded As Floods Cut Off Ajah, Mafoluku Communities

Published

3 weeks ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Residents of Ajah, Mafoluku and other flood-prone communities in Lagos have recounted how Thursday’s torrential rainfall left them stranded, submerged homes and cut off access to major roads.

The residents, who spoke with Tide source, on Friday called for urgent government intervention to tackle the recurring flooding blamed on poor drainage infrastructure.

Along Mobil Road in Ajah, Mrs Rukayat said floodwaters submerged about 200 metres of the road, forcing commuters to wade through waist-deep water.

“The water level was almost up to my lap. People literally had to wade through it to get home,” she said.

According to her, many motorists turned back, while others abandoned their vehicles and continued their journeys on foot.

“The only way to pass through the water was by walking or using a tricycle. Even then, the tricycles broke down and had to be pushed,” she said.

Rukayat said some youths assisted stranded tricycle operators by pushing their vehicles through flooded sections for a fee.

She said residents had repeatedly alerted authorities to the flooding but little had changed.

“We reported this when the rains started, but apparently nothing has been done about the problem,” she said.

She attributed the flooding to poor drainage and possible blockage of a major canal serving the area.

“There is a big canal here, but I don’t know what is preventing water from flowing through it properly,” she said.

According to her, overgrown vegetation and sand deposits might have obstructed the canal, reducing its capacity to discharge stormwater.

She added that although floodwaters usually receded after a few hours, sections of the road remained waterlogged.

In Mafoluku, residents said several streets, homes and access roads were submerged, leaving many unable to return home after going about their daily activities.

Mrs Iriagbonse Okunkpolor, a resident of Agboola Street, said what began as a short trip to buy household items became an hours-long ordeal.

“I left my house to buy a few items nearby, but the rain started suddenly and flooded the entire street.

“I was stranded for hours because there was no safe way back home,” she said.

Another resident, Mr Mukaila Idris, described the flooding as both dangerous and distressing.

“The current was very strong. I watched people pay young men to carry them across the water because they were afraid of being swept away or falling,” he said.

According to him, only physically fit residents could navigate the floodwaters safely, while many others waited several hours for the water level to subside.

Mr Williams Ekpo, who lives in the Eyinogun area, said the flood extended beyond the roads and entered residential compounds.

“The floodwater entered our compound and damaged some household items.

“This happens almost every rainy season, yet nothing seems to be done to address the drainage problem,” he said.

The residents urged the relevant authorities to investigate the persistent flooding and improve drainage infrastructure to prevent a recurrence during the rainy season.