The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), on Saturday, joined the rest of the world to mark the World Mangrove Day, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding one of the earth’s most vital ecosystems, the mangroves.

While marking the day, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey noted in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that mangroves play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, providing habitat for a diverse array of species and protecting shorelines from erosion.

According to him, mangroves maintain water quality, sequester carbon and render cultural and spiritual services.

He said the theme of this year’s World Mangrove Day, “Protecting Wetlands For Our Common Future,” resonates and reflects the role of mangroves in maintaining environmental integrity, regulating the climate, providing socio-economic support, and conserving biodiversity.

The Project Coordinator indicated that in Nigeria, human activities such as pollution from oil spills, plastics, industrial effluents, urbanisation, dredging, and deforestation contribute to significant mangrove loss, adding that between 2010 and 2020, approximately 20 percent mangroves were lost in the Niger Delta.

To reverse the trend, he disclosed that HYPREP has undertaken the world’s most extensive restoration of oil-degraded mangroves in Ogoniland, saying, the Project has completed 93 percent of the phase 1 mangrove restoration project in the Bomu Creek, covering 560 hectares.

Zabbey said HYPREP has also planted 1,393,223 multi-species mangrove seedlings, mimicking the natural zonation and relative proportion of the five species of mangrove planted, contending that “our ecologically sound mangrove restoration efforts have also led to the removal of the invasive nipa palm in the rehabilitated areas.”

He further noted that after over a year of restorative planting, signs of environmental and biodiversity recovery are becoming evident, as some of the planted black mangrove saplings are beginning to flower and produce propagules, stressing that the gradual recovery of crabs, shrimps, oysters, dogwhelks, periwinkles and mudskipper, among other indicative species has been recorded.

According to him, the HYPREP mangrove restoration project has created over 600 direct jobs for Ogoni youths and women, who are involved in planting and monitoring mangrove seedlings/saplings.

He revealed that mangrove vanguards, trained by HYPREP and supported with grants, nursed and supplied the mangrove seedlings to the restoration planting contractors, a gesture which he noted has amplified the livelihood contribution of the Ogoni mangrove restoration project.

Zabbey further hinted that HYPREP would expand the mangrove restoration to other communities in Ogoniland as part of its phase 2 mangrove restoration project, scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, saying, as HYPREP continues to monitor planted mangroves through its robust monitoring programme, it has also embarked on sensitising local communities on the need to protect mangroves.

He also disclosed that HYPREP has distributed some clean cookstoves as part of a pilot project aimed at reducing dependence on mangrove wood for cooking, adding that the clean cookstove intervention would be scaled up in the coming weeks.

Zabbey noted that the sustainability of planted mangroves is crucial, as the Project is exploring the possibility of partnering with civil society organisations and development agencies to ensure the sustainability of the rehabilitated mangroves in Ogoniland through sustained sensitisation and creating alternative livelihood opportunities.

“We are also seeking a declaration of the restored mangroves in Ogoniland as a Ramsar Site, which is one of the UNEP report’s recommended actions,” he intoned.

The Project Coordinator noted that protecting wetlands is not just about conservation but about survival and building a community resilience, saying, “it is about securing a future where our children and our children’s children can fish, farm and thrive in balance with nature.”

He emphasised that every mangrove restored is a step toward climate stability, economic security and ecological health, saying, “the Niger Delta, with its people, culture and courage, can lead the world in wetland recovery.”

Zabbey, therefore, used the opportunity provided by the World Mangrove Day celebration to call on Nigerians to support nature-based solutions that integrate science and indigenous knowledge, invest in women’s and youth education, and promote sustainable livelihoods tied to a healthy ecosystem.

In pursuit of its strategic human capacity development initiatives, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restated its commitment to supporting Ogoni youths to maximally benefit from its projects and programmes that align with their visions and aspirations.

The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication during the second edition of the international career enhancement and employability workshop organised by the Project for undergraduates and fresh graduates of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Port Harcourt, assured the participants of its commitment to continually initiate programmes that support their visions and aspirations.

He noted that the workshop reaffirms the Project’s commitment to inclusiveness and continuous skills development, as strategic pillars in its efforts to restore and improve livelihoods in Ogoniland.

He said the workshop was aimed at equipping the Ogoni youths with relevant career skills and empower them with employability tools, to ensure that HYPREP’s gains extend beyond remediation into long-term transformations, stressing that the Project is committed to supporting their dreams.

”HYPREP is committed to supporting your dreams through targeted initiatives, such as this workshop and we will explore ways to empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed.
I want to emphasise that this workshop is not just about enhancing your career prospects; it is also about building a community of young people and equipping you to make a positive impact in your communities. As you benefit from HYPREP’s interventions (and the experiences of the facilitator), I challenge you to take the message of peace and constructive engagement to your communities and live accordingly,” he said.

Zabbey further assured that HYPREP would continue to stand with Ogoni youths by supporting their aspirations through targeted workshops and broader livelihood initiatives that prioritise their development, noting that the Project believes in them and remains committed to creating platforms where their potential can be nurtured and realised.

The Project Coordinator enjoined them to continue to contribute to the success of HYPREP.

The second edition of the career enhancement and employability workshop had Dr Akanimo Odon and Dr Chioma Okonkwo as facilitators, while the participants were drawn from the four Ogoni local government areas.

Among other modules, participants at the two-day workshop were provided with tips on ways to explore opportunities in seemingly challenging situations, discover themselves, convert hobbies and interests into passion and profits through three career e-routes and understand the power of networks and partnerships.

Participants were also given useful nuggets, career resources of time and skills, and career resources of funding, especially how to access foreign scholarships and funding.

At the closing, HYPREP’s Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, urged the participants to earnestly pursue their passions and commit to their dreams.

Meanwhile, the participants expressed gratitude to HYPREP for organising the workshop, which they described as impactful and transformative.

HYPREP has continued to be intentional in its efforts to prioritise human capacity development in Ogoni through such workshops and trainings. This year, the Project will be rolling out trainings in high demand skill areas like mechatronics, underwater welding, commercial diving, full-stack development and GIS, targeting the youths as major beneficiaries and giving them a fair head start and comparative advantage in a highly competitive environment.

The Public Relations practitioners across Nigeria have been charged to go beyond the perceived roles of media relations and protocol services to strategic leadership functions that is crucial to shaping and transforming the nation.

In his message at this year’s (2025) World Public Relations Day, with the Theme: ” Building Bridges, Navigating Polarisation” In Port Harcourt, The National President of the Nigeria Institution of Public Relations Dr. Ike Neliaku expressed delight to address members and guests on this special day, pointing out that the day offers a an opportunity to reflect on the journey over six decades since Public Relations formally birthed in Nigeria.

He maintained that this year’s world Public Relations day gives opportunity to members to reflect on the actions and inactions towards the development of the profession and to boldly develop new frontiers for a greater institution.

The NIPR president explained that the values of Public Relations particularly in areas of fostering relationship, strengthening leadership and advancing good governance remain a key -through effective and goal- oriented communication.

Earlier, The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, (RSU) Prof. Isaac zep-Obipi being represented by the Deputy VC admin Prof. Victor Akujuru throw challenge to NIPR members to rebranding and portray the state in good light, standing that RSU remains a state owned institution that have not witness any strike in the passed fifteen years.

Also in his speech, the state chairman NIPR Rivers Chapter Rev. Francis Asuk described world Public Relations day as a day set aside to pay attention to the works of public relations globally indeed that relationship is important that the world is crying about in rebuilding relationship due to the collapsed of the value systems at family, society and world level of human existence.

” At the highest level of human existence relationship has become imperative for all practitioners to come together and build bridges to navigates those Polarisation” he said.

In a related development,the keynote speaker Rev (Fr.) Prof. Walter C.Ihejirika, said the media has a lot to do especially on its role of enlightenment to the public about the role and function as a key element in the development of a better society.

Prof. Ihejirika who is the Dean faculty of Communication and Media Studies , University of Port Harcourt, stressed that when media practitioners navigate on the area of strategic communications with a goal, then the public will be better informed and know that they have a responsibility for the large society, “because if the large society is not good, the organization cannot function effectively.”