Niger Delta

Ogoni Postgraduate Forum Tasks HYPREP On Scholarship Scheme

Published

11 months ago

February 5, 2025

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.

Donatus Ebi

Niger Delta

Navy Pledges Improved Patrols, Welfare Boost For Personnel

Published

24 hours ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has pledged to ensure improved welfare for personnel and more patrols on the maritime corridors of the nation.

He disclosed this during an on the spot assessment of things at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Calabar, on Wednesday.

According to him, there is the need for officers to always be ready, by improving on their welfare, in a bid to keep the country secured.

“I am here for an on the spot assessment of our operations and like you have seen, I have also gone round to check the ongoing buildings.

”These are welfare issues and for us to be able to have our men ready and keep us secured, their welfare needs to be catered for.

“So, we are here to kill two birds with one stone, which are basically operations and welfare issues.

”I am happy with what the command is doing; it is doing well in terms of keeping the maritime environment safe.

“We will continue doing what we are doing and improve on that, which is patrol of the waters and increase in the area of surveillance”, he stated.

As part of his visit, Abbas commissioned the 12×1 Junior Rates Accommodation Block A and B, at the Navy Barracks at Atimbo in Calabar.

The naval chief also inspected other ongoing projects in the Akim Barracks, 1006 flats and the Navy hotel, all within Calabar.

Niger Delta

Delta Begins Uromi Junction Flyover Construction

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Delta State Government says it has began construction work on the long-awaited Uromi Junction Flyover Bridge in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of the state.

Director-General (DG) of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, confirmed the development to newsme in Asaba.

According to him, heavy-duty construction equipment have arrived the site, a project which is being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, one of the country’s leading construction firms.

Oghenesivbe, described the flyover as a massive infrastructure project with far-reaching socio-economic benefits for the area.

He said the project would significantly transform the Agbor metropolis by easing traffic congestion, improving the city’s aesthetics, and boosting commercial activities within the local government area.

He described the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a promise-keeper and pragmatic leader whose administration remains committed to infrastructure development and economic growth across the state.

The DG expressed confidence in Julius Berger’s capacity to deliver the project within record time and according to the highest construction standards.

“The Uromi Junction serves as a major link between different parts of the country but has recently been plagued by severe traffic congestion, making vehicular movement increasingly difficult”, he noted.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and safeguard construction materials and equipment to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Niger Delta

A’Ibom Rejects Ekid Ownership Claim Of Stubbs Creek

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union that it owns land within the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing such assertions as “false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

In a recent statement, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, the state government said it was compelled to respond in the “overriding public interest,” despite a pending court case instituted by the same group.

The government stated that contrary to claims circulating in the media, the historic case of Ntiaro and Ikpak vs. Ibok Etok Akpan and Edoho Ekid, decided by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in 1918, did not vest ownership of Stubbs Creek land in any ethnic group or community.

“The final judgement merely dismissed the claims before the court and granted title to no party whatsoever”, the government stated, adding that “any assertion to the contrary is false, misleading and a distortion of the judicial record.”

According to the statement, the land was lawfully reserved by the colonial government under Forest Reserve Order No. 45 of 1930, later amended in 1941, 1955 and 1962, with “the principal rights of the land forfeited to the Government upon the change of status.”

It said the area has since been administered under applicable laws by the Akwa Ibom State Government, which “has at all times acted within its lawful authority in the management and allocation of land in the area for legitimate public and economic purposes.”

Citing the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act, the government stated that all land in the state is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the common benefit of Nigerians, noting that claims of absolute ancestral ownership are subject to existing laws.

The government “categorically denies allegations of fraud or misrepresentation” regarding Stubbs Creek or investments there and warned it would take “appropriate legal steps” against any individual or group publishing false or defamatory material capable of undermining public confidence or discouraging investment

The statement also assured the federal government of “full access and Right of Way” for the proposed Coastal Highway through any part of the state.

The government statement followed an earlier report in which the Ekid People’s Union accused Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of making comments that allegedly linked the community to terrorism, while he was defending the Coastal Highway project passing through the Stubbs Creek.

Ekid People’s Union maintained that the people of Ekid are the original owners of the land known as Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, arguing that their ancestral ownership predates colonial rule.

The group cited historical occupation, customary ownership and a 1918 Privy Council case, which it claimed affirmed Ekid rights over the territory.

The union also accused the Akwa Ibom State Government of misrepresenting history to justify taking over the land for commercial interests and the proposed Coastal Highway, an allegation the state government has denied.

The group rejected any suggestion linking the Ekid people to criminality or terrorism, insisting they were peaceful citizens defending their ancestral land through lawful and civic means.