News
Ogoni Youths Reject Shekwolo As HYPREP PC
Except an urgent step is taken, there may be another round of crisis in Ogoni, Rivers State as a concerned youth group under the aegis of Ogoni Development Drive (ODD) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Acting Project Coordinator of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme (HYPREP), Prof. Philip Shekwolo.
The group said the call for Shekwolo’s sack became necessary because of what they described as ‘injustice’, noting that “Ogonis did not die for a Kogi man to come and head their affairs.”
The youth group, at a media briefing in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, at the weekend, called on Buhari to replace Shekwolo with a qualified Ogoni son to head HYPREP, stressing that Ogoni has a good number of people academically qualified to head the agency.
A statement signed by the leader of the group, Solomon Lenu, stated that as an ethnic group that wears the shoe of deprivation, they know where it pinches them.
Lenu argued that Shekwolo lacked the moral ground to oversee a remediation programme which he had in the past defended Shell’s complicity in the oil spill in Ogoniland.
He demanded that the Federal Government urgently investigate how the clean-up money collected by HYPREP has been spent.
Lenu, however, disclosed the group’s readiness to sacrifice everything legally and otherwise available to them to stop Shekwolo from becoming a substantive project coordinator of HYPREP.
“I am sad today because the present Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Phillip Shekwolo, a former staff of Shell, the company at the epicentre of the oil crisis in Ogoni land, was made an acting PC to correct the wrongs generated by his predecessor, Dr Marvin Dekil, but he (Shekwolo) had since deviated to fest his nest on the common patrimony of the dying Ogoni people.
“It will interest you to know that since his appointment in an acting capacity, rather than focusing on what would bring solution to the myriad of problems confronting Ogonis, Shekwolo only devotes his stay in HYPREP to bribe people to support his confirmation as the HYPREP substantive PC.
“On this note, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to remove Prof. Phillip Shekwolo as the PC of HYPREP and replace him with a qualified Ogoni son because we have a good number of Ogonis who are academically qualified with decades of field experience to head that agency. It is also important to state that, he who wears the shoes knows where it pinches. We know our problems, and we know how to go about it but Phillip Shekwolo does not.
“We want the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, investigate how the clean-up money so far collected by HYPREP has been spent. This is imperative because the so-called clean-up is all about a political gimmick controlled and influenced by politicians from within and without Ogoni.
“Ogoni youths and elders say capital ‘NO’ to Philip Shekwolo as substantive HYPREP coordinator.
“Philip Shekwolo is a Shell surrogate who, in the past, defended Shell that there was no oil spill in Ogoniland, that if there was any, it was the orchestration of Ogonis themselves to blackmail Shell.
“Ogonis did not die for a Kogi man to come and head HYPREP for us, when no non-indigene has ever headed the North East Development Commission. So, HYPREP and Ogoni Trust fund will not be the first.
“We are equally ready to sacrifice everything legally and otherwise available to us to ensure we stop this sacrilegious appetite of Shekwolo,” Lenu said in the statement.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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