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HYPREP Presents Scholarship Grants To 300 Ogoni Postgraduate Students

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1 year ago

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has presented scholarship grants to 300 Ogoni postgraduate students.
The scholarship recipients consist of100 Doctorate Degree students and 200 Masters Degree students studying in various recognised tertiary institutions in the country. While the PhD students smiled home with N1million each, the Masters Degree students got N500,000 each.
Presenting the scholarship grants to the beneficiaries, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof NeinibariniZabbey urged them to use the grants for the purpose they were given,and to use them to better their lives and the lives of others.
Speaking in his welcome address during the presentation ceremony at NAFOWA Multipurpose Hall in Port Harcourt, Zabbey indicated that all the scholarship recipients were selected on merit through a transparent process, and congratulated them on their success, saying, “your hard work and dedication have brought you here.”
“We celebrate the 2024 recipients of the Ogoni postgraduate students scholarship, an initiative that underscores the Federal Government’s commitment, through HYPREP, to the development of Ogoniland”, he said, contending that HYPREP, through the selection process, has once again demonstrated its commitment to fairness, transparency and inclusivity in implementing livelihood interventions in Ogoniland.
He noted that the integrity of the selection process for the scholarship has been a priority, as he could confidently say that the recipients have earned this recognition through merit.
“At HYPREP, we believe that education is not only the bedrock of personal growth but a transformative tool that can unlock new opportunities and create sustainable alternative sources of livelihood for oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland,” he said, stressing that Ogoni postgraduate students are critical stakeholders of the Ogoni community in the HYPREP project, and are integral to achieving HYPREP’s goals.
According to him, as researchers and leaders in their various fields, the scholarship recipients are agents of change, as they have the unique opportunity to contribute to HYPREP’s ongoing environmental remediation and livelihood restoration in Ogoniland.
He, however, urged the scholarship beneficiaries to contribute their technical expertise to promoting peace and development at the community level, saying discussing development without acknowledging the fundamental link between peace, progress and prosperity is impossible.
“As a people, we cannot afford continuous division or discord, instead, we must focus on unity and collaboration,” he intoned, and urged the scholarship recipients to form clusters that facilitate peace building initiatives, and let such clusters become platforms for dialogue, reconciliation, and innovation and solutions that address the Ogoni community’s challenges.
Zabbey noted that through their efforts, especially in collaboration with HYPREP, “we can build bridges of understanding, and reinforce the foundation for a clean environment, sustainable peace and development in Ogoniland.”
According to him, their role as postgraduate students is beyond the academia, because as peace builders, they must promote unity, collaboration and peaceful coexistence within Ogoni communities and beyond.
He further noted that the work and influence of the scholarship recipients would serve as bridges to further connect Ogoniland, fostering continuous dialogue, mutual understanding and collective activities in the public interest.
The Project Coordinator said the task before HYPREP is enormous but noted that the cooperation of the Ogoni community and the commitment of the project stakeholders have sustained progress in the implementation process, saying, with the progress made thus far in implementing the over 100 ongoing projects, a significant number of the projects would be completed this year.
He equally enjoined the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to make a difference, not just in their lives but also in the lives of others, describing them as not only the beneficiaries of the education grant but also the custodians of its vision.
He also urged them to carry this responsibility with pride, integrity and commitment to excellence, and pleaded with those who did not receive the scholarship grants this time to prepare for the next chance.
Zabbey further hinted that HYPREP would initiate civic education and constructive engagement initiatives in the coming weeks, to deepen understanding of community responsibilities and address challenges such as misinformation and other issues hindering progress.
In his goodwill message, the Gbenemene of Ancient Bangha Kingdom and spokesman of the Central Representative Advisory Committee(CRAC) of HYPREP, King T.Y. SuanuBaridam thanked HYPREP for the bold initiative, and congratulated the scholarship recipients on their success, describing the Ogonis as intelligent people, as it was never easy to select the best from the lot who participated during the selection process.
He stressed the need for people to understand and appreciate what HYPREP is doing in Ogoniland, and appealed to those indulging in campaign of calumny against HYPREP, by insinuating that nothing is happening, to desist forthwith.
He noted that the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoni did not say anything about scholarship, “but we decided to add it because we are part and parcel of our people.”
According to him, the scholarship scheme and other programmes carried out by the project would address social vices in the area.
He, therefore, urged the scholarship recipients to always defend the project, and make good use of the opportunity.

Also speaking, the President of the Ogoni Association of Persons Living With Disabilities, Comrade Ngo Baridapdoo, also a PhD beneficiary of the scholarship, thanked the Project Coordinator for the gesture.
He noted with delight that scholarship is now in the HYPREP Gazette, contrary to what obtained in the past, as the Project Coordinator is now carrying along persons with special needs in his administration.
Also, the Convener of Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, MrBariatonlo Ken Nnaane equally expressed gratitude to the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal for giving approval to the scholarship scheme, and the Project Coordinator for expanding HYPREP’s livelihood programme to include the postgraduate scholarship scheme.

Donatus Ebi

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Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.
The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.
The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.
Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.
He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.
According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.
Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.
Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.
Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.
He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.
A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.
Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.
He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.
In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.
Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.
By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick
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Niger Delta

Police Detain 7, Recover Arms In A’Ibom 

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.of the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.
John said that the breakthrough which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday, followed credible intelligence from members of the public.
“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers.
“In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.
According to her, the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.
The police spokesman further said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.
She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.
“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.
John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.
She said the State’s Commissioner of Police,  CP Baba Azare, has directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.
John expressed the commitment of the Command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.
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Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

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5 days ago

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April 10, 2026

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.
Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.
He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.
He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.
Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.
“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.
“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.
Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’
He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’
The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.
On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.
Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.
“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.
The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.
According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.
He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.
The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.
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