The Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, has called on the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) to make its postgraduate scholarship scheme an annual event and also review the scheme, by increasing the number of beneficiaries.
The Convener of the Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, Mr Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, who made the call in an address during the maiden award ceremony of the scholarship scheme in Port Harcourt, also enjoined HYPREP to jettison the age barrier in subsequent editions of the programme, and place emphasis on bursary awards in place of the scholarship grants.
According to him, giving bursary to the students is likely to absorb more beneficiaries than the scholarship scheme, given the Project Coordinator’s resolve to deepening inclusivity.
The forum also stressed the need for HYPREP to provide training and employment opportunities to its members, as well as support and strengthen research collaboration with the organisation, particularly those members carrying out research in Environmental Sciences.
Nnaane harped on the need for the project to provide support to the forum for its forthcoming Education Summit, saying it is an event billed to witness the presentation of awards to the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal and the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey.
He equally pleaded that provision be made for the leadership of the forum to monitor the subsequent editions of the scholarship grants, in order to provide feedback to members of the forum.
The convener thanked the Project Coordinator for the timely expansion of HYPREP’s livelihood programme to include scholarship support for Ogoni postgraduate students; and also the Minister of Environment for his kind approval of granting 300 Ogoni postgraduate students access to scholarship support.
He noted that Zabbey’s leadership at HYPREP is defined by excellence, saying, this groundbreaking scholarship initiative is conspicuously, a display of consistency, tact and trust in the policy thrust of his administration.
“We are proud to say it on good note that you have shown class in driving the Ogoni clean-up through several laudable programmes and projects, specifically the construction of the Centre of Excellence, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Ogoni water schemes, to mention but a few. To say that you have performed creditably is to say the least. Your timely response to several of the forum’s letters to the Project Coordination Office and press briefing seeking for the inclusion of Ogoni researchers in HYPREP’s livelihood programme was greeted with cheers.We endorse the credible and transparent selection process that gave rise to the forum’s 300 beneficiaries,” he said.
He further indicated that the forum would remain relentless in its commitment to collaboration with HYPREP, to unlock other livelihood deliverables to support Ogoni researchers.
Nnaane said it is on record that the Ogonis are not neophytes on the academic corridor, but noted that some of the no mean academic feats they have recorded, are attained in toil, tears and self-denial, “the single reason we had solicited for research support priority to alleviate our research burdens.”
While congratulating the scholarship beneficiaries on their success, the convener urged them to contribute meaningfully to the transformation, growth and development of Ogoniland, as well as “take the lead to protect this shared heritage.”
He, however, admonished the members of the forum who are yet to ben!efit from the scholarship scheme to be calm, noting that “time is a ceaseless continuum, with the events of life buried therein.”
According to him, other opportunities abound, it is a matter of patience, which is a virtue.
Nnaane also applauded the Project Coordinator’s virtue for adhering to the forum’s earlier plea for the credibility of the selection process.
“Indeed, we are satisfied with the rigorous but thorough process adopted by the verification team.We are also making a clarion call on other public-spirited individuals, government functionaries, government agencies and donor organisations to emulate this gesture,” he said.

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