News

HYPREP’s Centre Of Excellence Construction Hits 80% Completion Rate

Published

11 months ago

March 17, 2025

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says the construction of its Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) has reached 80 percent completion rate.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey, who dropped the hint during the presentation ceremony of the report of the Technical Planning Committee for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration in Port Harcourt, said establishing the centre is one of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Report on Ogoniland.
He noted that the presentation of the committee report to the Project Coordination Office is timely because the construction of the centre has reached an impressive 80 percent completion rate.
He recalled that the Technical Planning Committee to develop a sustainable framework for operationalising the CEER was inaugurated on May 31,2024, saying, “we appreciate the dedication and expertise of the committee members, who have worked tirelessly to ensure a robust and comprehensive plan for the institution.”
Zabbey thanked the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal whose wisdom and guidance, he said have ensured that HYPREP remains on track, as well as all members of the committee for their commitment, expertise and hard work in developing the report, stressing that the committee members’ collective effort has been instrumental in shaping the vision for the Centre of Excellence, ensuring that it meets global standards for environmental research, capacity building and remediation practices.
He noted that the diverse knowledge and skills each of the members had brought to the assignment had significantly contributed to the quality of the recommendations contained in the report.
According to him, the report includes the administrative structure, the framework programmes and activities at the centre, staffing and recruitment strategy, research, Internationalisation and sustainability strategy and the advisory document on the legal framework for the establishment of the centre.
The Project Coordinator explained that establishing the centre is a monumental step forward in the remediation of hydrocarbon pollution in Ogoniland and beyond, adding that the centre would serve as a hub for innovative research, skill development and environmental management, providing sustainable pollution prevention and ecosystem restoration solutions.
“For Ogoniland, this means a cleaner environment, improved public health, and opportunities for economic empowerment through skills training and employment.Nationally, the centre will position Nigeria as a leader in environmental remediation and restoration, fostering innovation and best practices in pollution management primarily through the Integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre housed in CEER,” he said.
He disclosed that HYPREP will expand the centre’s original remediation-related laboratories to include biotechnology, in line with the Federal Government’s directive of the project contributing to national food security, saying a biotechnology laboratory at the centre would enhance phyto remediation studies and crop improvement research, to contribute to national food security and sovereignty.
He said the report of the technical committee would be forwarded to the Governing Council of HYPREP for the review and consideration of the recommendations, and expressed optimism that the council would appreciate the depth of work done and importance of expediting the next steps towards immediate operationalisation of the centre.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof Roseline Konya, said while speaking with newsmen that the centre of excellence is going to have a great impact in the lives of the people of Ogoniland, and expressed delight that it has come to reality.
According to her, the first day the committee members visited the project site, in the course of their work, they were impressed with what was on ground.
“That visit had increased my years because when you have something, you have a plan, you see it on ground, it is no longer on paper, it is very exciting,” she said.
She further noted that she is certain that the centre of excellence is going to make a great impact in Ogoniland because she had been there in the very beginning when the UNEP Report on Ogoniland was presented.
According to her, the CEER and other projects were in the report.
“You begin to imagine when this will materialise,” she intoned.

By: Donatus Ebi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

12 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

13 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.