Nation

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

Published

6 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

PH based Ibadan indigenes vow commitment To Rules of law

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

Indigenes of Ibadan residing in Port Harcourt under the aegis of Oluyole progressive Union have vowed to remain law-abiding and support government efforts towards the development of the state.

The Association said this during its 30th anniversary in Port Harcourt.

President of the Association , Pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel said members of the Association have never been indicted for any criminal activities in the state, stressing that they are ready to work and support the government towards the development of the state if given the opportunity.

He listed some achievements of the association within the last 30 years to include, promoting unity among its members , encouraging members development efforts , while over 24 plots of land have been acquired by the association in Ibadan Oyo state for onward distribution to members.

Emmanuel said the anniversary was not only to thank God for the continuous existence of the group, but recognize some individuals who have contributed towards its growth and sustenance.

Meanwhile in an address, the Public Relations Officer of the Association Mr Abdulganiyu Abdulwaheed said Oluyole progressive Union was borned out of the need to unite the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes resident in Port Harcourt city and environs.

“When we saw the growing numbers of Ibadan indigenes residing in Port Harcourt,it was felt that a need existed for this wards to come together and know each other, but more importantly to see if we can collectively and work together as brothers and sisters”

Abdulwaheed use the occasion to pay glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the club, some of who are late and mentioned their names as, late Pa,R. A. Arulogun, late Alhaja Hamzat Olalekan, High Chief Kola Babalola (SAN), late Ismail Onifade Sonbe and Elder Biodun Popoola who is alive.

Also some of the founding members according to him, are,Mr Sikiru Fakunle,Akeem Azeez Oyeranmi who is l and Adedeji Taofeek who is late.

Also are,Mr Mansur Adegoke amongst other

He also listed past and present presidents of the club as ,Mr Fakunle O Sikiru, Oyeranmi Azeez,Adekunle Hakeem,Mr Popoola M Taiwo , Alhaji Rasheed A Olawoore ,Olubadan Rasheed and pastor Oyedeji Emmanuel Kamaru the current president of the club.

Some of those who spoke to newsmen including Alhaji Moshood Ola Ogundijo,Engr Abiodun Popoola, Fakunle Sikiru,Taye Popoola, Alhaji Rasheed Olawore and Deacon Sunday Ezekiel Atoyebi thanked the members for sustaining the club in the last 30 years.

They prayed for the continuous unity of members, while also calling on them to avoid anything that will put the association in disrepute.

High point of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving members of the club as well as others who contributed to the development of the club and the launching of the club’s almanac.

By: John Bibor

Nation

LECAN Plans Free Electrical Installation Training Program in Rivers, Honors Veterans

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Licenced Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria, (LECAN) Rivers State chapter has announced its preparedness to organize free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State in 2026 as part of its social responsibility policy and commitment to grooming professionals in the electricity industry.

Chairman of LECAN in Rivers State, Engr Lekia Emmanuel who disclosed this during a special end of year event of the association held in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the move was aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring sanity in the energy sector.

He explained that the training will be conducted under the supervision and certification of, Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, the parent and regulatory body of LECAN.

Engr Lekia Emmanuel further hinted that the association will embark on intensive sensitization of the public on safety standards and enforcements through the mass media while strengthening stakeholders collaboration.

He explained that, ” We in LECAN has resolved to promote professionalism in the electricity sector by carrying out free electrical installation training for youths in Rivers State, this will enable young Nigerians to develop great potentials in this important sector of the Nigeria economy.”

“It will also help in checking the infiltration of quacks, we’ll also engage critical stakeholders to enhance safety standards and enforcement in the electricity related activities and contracts.”

The association also used the event to honor veterans and other personalities that have contributed immensely to the development of the association with Excellence Service Awards.

These include; Engr Jamila Yusuf, Area Inspecting Engineer, Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office, Elder Igwe Worli, Patron, Chief Afuedeli Moses, LECAN Zonal Coordinator, Mr Friday Deetam Kor, Comrade Valentine Nwigwe, Elder Mission Saagbara and Mr Austine Obilor.

In her remarks, the Area Inspecting Engineer Port Harcourt Inspectorate Field office of NEMSA, who was represented by Engr Josephine Ekpo commended LECAN for its commitment to safety standards and professionalism and assured a robust collaboration with the association.

On his part, the Secretary of Rivers State chapter of LECAN, Engr Nornubari Kor expressed gratitude to God for making the association to carry through the 2025 fiscal year with remarkable achievements.

He urged members of the LECAN to key into the activities of the association in 2026 with renewed zeal and deep sense of commitments to achieve desired objectives.

Nation

Alliance Française PH, FIGN, Nexal Move To Eradicate GBV

Published

5 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”

The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.

The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.

The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.

The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.

According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.

“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said

She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.

The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.

“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.

Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”

However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.

Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.