Nation
UNEP Report: Stakeholders Take Stock, Score HYPREP High
Some Ogoni stakeholders have taken stock of the Ogoni cleanup project 14 years after the release of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland, saying, it has been a worthwhile journey with the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project ( HYPREP) fully implementing the recommendations of the report, even beyond their wildest dreams and expectations.
They are delighted that what is going on in Ogoniland today is a culmination of the Ogoni struggle, which has yielded tremendous gains, visible in all nooks and crannies of Ogoniland, with HYPREP at the driver’s seat.
The stakeholders, who aired their views on the celebration of the 14th anniversary of the release of the UNEP Report in separate interviews with newsmen in Port Harcourt, scored HYPREP high on the implementation of the report, within the context of its core thematic areas, including environmental remediation, livelihood restoration, provision of potable water and health interventions, among others.
Beyond this, they are happy that HYPREP has even gone the extra mile by constructing the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Buan Cottage Hospital and the Ogoni Power Project.
For one of the stakeholders and former member of HYPREP’s Governing Council, Mr Celestine Akpobari, the cleanup project that started like a child learning how to walk, has today grown in leaps and bounds with remarkable milestones like the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, water projects scattered here and there, scholarships for the youths, and the mangrove restoration efforts that have seen the gradual return of fishes, periwinkles and oysters in Ogoni mangroves and rivers.
According to him, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey has taken the cleanup project to another level.
“I cannot wait to see foreigners troop into Ogoni to make proper use of the Centre of Excellence,” he intoned, stressing that he is full of appreciation for all the staff of HYPREP for the giant strides recorded so far.
Akpobari, however, appealed to the Project Coordinator to ensure that the assessment of other polluted sites in other parts of the Niger Delta is kick-started because, according to him, Ogoni cannot be clean until other parts of the Niger Delta are clean.
He also called on human rights bodies and activists to prevail on the Federal Government and oil companies that polluted Ogoniland to put more money into the purse of HYPREP, as the S1billion take-off grant has been depleted and, therefore, not enough to thoroughly clean up the area.
He said cleaning Ogoniland would take over S300billion.
On his part, former President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People(MOSOP), Mr Legborsi Pygbara, said the UNEP Report was a watershed in providing a reliable scientific evidence for the ecological war that went on in Ogoni for onwards of four decades, in which animals, plants, water systems and the entire environment were destroyed, as a result of the rapacious environmental degradation of Ogoniland that happened because of the activities of multinational oil companies led by the Shell Petroleum Development Company and Chevron.
According to him, the assessment of oil impacted sites in Ogoniland was as a result of the courageous engagement of the Ogoni people with the Nigerian State and the oil industry, which climaxed in the invitation extended to UNEP to carry out the assessment.
He noted that the report is a testament of the resilience of the Ogoni people to confront what they saw at that time as a total annihilation of their environment, saying, the 14th anniversary of the UNEP Report today marks the celebration of the resilience, courage, persistence and commitment of a dispossessed and oppressed people to challenge those they considered as the oppressors of their destiny and future.
According to him, today, the UNEP Report is celebrated as one of the biggest reports that have come out of UNEP since its existence.
“Today is a celebration of the resilience, the persistence, the courage, the commitment and vision of a people who remained committed to the goal of achieving a better environment despite how their environment had been destroyed,” he said.
Pygbara noted that 14 years after the release of the UNEP Report, the story of Ogoniland has changed, as it is no longer an era of bitter cries but that of laughter and relief, “to celebrate that at some point in our history, we were able to say, enough is enough.”
He expressed delight that HYPREP has sustained the tempo of fully implementing the recommendations of the report to the extent that hundreds of Ogoni people are meaningfully engaged at its remediation sites and employed at its corporate office, saying, 14 years after, there are indeed remarkable achievements.
He said today, several Ogoni youths have been trained as scientists; Ogoni has demonstrated best expertise in terms of environmental management and governance; water projects are all over the place; mangroves are being cleaned; and manpower development has improved.
According to him, looking back, what HYPREP is doing in Ogoniland today is a fulfilment of the request in the Ogoni Bill of Rights that demanded the stoppage of the environmental degradation of Ogoniland.
The Executive Director of the Resolate Advocacy Foundation for Youth Empowerment and Citizens Initiative, Comrade Menele Nzidee said the implementation of the UNEP Report is on course, 14 years after its release, and commended the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey for efficiently piloting and driving the cleanup project.
According to him, the restoration of the livelihoods of the people has lifted the Ogoni people from their zero level of poverty.
The Director General of Ogoni Democratic Link also scored HYPREP high in the area of potable water supply, electricity, granting of scholarships to Ogoni youths, and construction of hospitals, among others, assuring the people that getting to the promised land which is their collective goal and aspiration would be attained.
He said the Project Coordinator needs the collaboration, support and prayers of all and sundry to keep on doing the good works.
The former Deputy National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) described HYPREP as “our struggle, our brainchild and the product of our endeavour”, that must be nurtured, cherished and protected, and admonished the Ogoni youths who are the greatest beneficiaries of all that HYPREP is doing in Ogoniland to jealously guard the cleanup project.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
The City Boy Movement in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers state has commended Senator Allwell Onyesoh on his victory in the APC primary election for Rivers East Senatorial District.
Chairman of the group in Etche, Dr. Fortune Uchenna Obi, spoke to journalists in Okehi Ward after participating in Monday’s direct primary. He described Onyesoh’s emergence as the party’s candidate for the 2027 senatorial election as a reflection of the people’s will.
Dr. Obi said the senator has performed well during his first term and deserves re-election. He also thanked FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, leader of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State, for supporting Onyesoh’s candidacy. According to him, Wike’s backing was instrumental to the senator’s nomination, clearance, and victory at the primary.
He further praised voters in Etche and across Rivers East for turning out in large numbers at ward centers and urged them to sustain the support to ensure Onyesoh’s success in the January 2027 general election.
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