Nation

WED: HYPREP Moves To Combat Plastic Pollution …Sensitises Ex-Artesenal Refiners

Published

10 months ago

June 12, 2025

As part of activities to mark this year’s World Environment Day, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has taken steps to combat plastic pollution in Ogoniland and other places within its catchment area.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, to commemorate the World Environment Day, said the Project remains dedicated to a pollution-free environment for sustainable development.
He noted that HYPREP is promoting citizens’ actions against plastic pollution, having led members of its Green Frontiers, last year, to the Bomu creeks in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, to clean up plastic from the mangroves, stressing that this initiative is aimed at inspiring citizens’ actions and science, particularly among young students in Ogoniland.
Zabbey said as part of HYPREP’s efforts to combat plastic pollution, it has also initiated several interventions aligned with its belief that nature-based solutions and citizens’ actions are necessary to tackle environmental degradation in the region.
He revealed that HYPREP has launched the use of Growcoon to replace plastic bags in mangrove nurseries, and has equally adhered to the Federal Government’s directive by banning the use of single-use plastics in the HYPREP Project Coordination Office and Area Offices, and extending same to its project sites.
“We promote citizens’ actions by educating fisher folks and engaging young students in environmental activities. We have established functioning environmental clubs in secondary schools in Ogoni,” he intoned.
He further indicated that as part of activities to mark this year’s World Environment Day, HYPREP and the Green Frontiers jointly embarked on a sensitisation campaign with the fisher folks in Bomu fishing port, focusing on actions to reduce plastic waste in the creeks, saying, this supports the multi-stakeholder approach to raise awareness and galvanise local citizens’ actions on the occasion of this year’s WED, calling for deliberate actions from all stakeholders, including government, industry players, communities and individuals, to help develop policies, ensure compliance with existing ones, and reduce activities that exacerbate plastic pollution and its attendant effects.
The Project Coordinator assured that HYPREP would continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including government, Civil Society Organisations(CSOs), communities and other development partners, to campaign and mobilise actions against plastic pollution in Ogoniland and beyond.
Zabbey noted that today, the global scourge of plastic pollution is having a profound impact on ecosystems, thus, posing a severe threat to livelihoods and public health, contending that the major contributor to plastic pollution is the expanding sachet economy, particularly water sachets, which have become one of the most recognisable single-use products in West Africa.
He said in Nigeria, for instance, sachets have grown increasingly common, with over 50 to 60 million used water sachets discarded in the environment each day, which end up in streams, canals, rivers and oceans, significantly adding to plastic pollution and its negative impact on the environment.
In a related development, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has taken its sensitisation campaign to Ogoni ex-artesenal refiners, calling on them to desist from re-polluting the environment, as it is poised to boost their capacity by giving them specialised trainings, as a way of enhancing their livelihoods.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this assurance during a sensitisation programme organised by the Project for ex-artesenal refiners at Zina Motel in Agbonchia community in Eleme Local Government Area, recently, said the event was deliberately planned to coincide with this year’s World Environment Day.
He noted that ex-artesenal refiners are important partners to what HYPREP is doing in Ogoniland, assuring them that the Project is committed to their cause.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian Paul-Aguiyi, said HYPREP acknowledges and appreciates the role which the ex-artesenal refiners are playing in the remediation efforts.
He said the event is geared towards moving them away from what they were doing before and give them alternative livelihoods, saying, “We will continue to engage them.They are a group we have already identified and already working with. They had willingly, on their own given up artesenal refining, by choice, and we are willing to work with them, to make sure there is no more artesenal refining in Ogoniland. We are encouraging them to keep doing what they are currently doing. And we will engage them. We made a commitment to give them specialised trainings, and we will make sure we give them sustainable livelihoods, to make sure they are off artesenal refining for ever.”
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of a keynote lecture entitled, ‘Clean-Up: Gains, Sustainability And The Prosperity Of Ogoniland’ by Prof DineBari Badey and Prof Lesi Kaegon, both lecturers at the University of Port Harcourt.

Donatus Ebi

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.

The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.

According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors

‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”

It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees

“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”

The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said

It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development

Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.

Nation

NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.

The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt

Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.

He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.

“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.

“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.

Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.

Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.

“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.

The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.

He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.

John Bibor

Nation

Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.

The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.

Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.

Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.

A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.

The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.

A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.

Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.

The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.

The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.