By: Felix Ikpotor
Three hundred Ogonis are to be given scholarship by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, to support their academic works.
The scholarship which is under the Educational Support Programme of HYPREP is for postgraduate students already studying for their Master’s and Doctors of Philosophy Degrees in any field.
HYPREP said the scholarship which is a one-off grant would benefit 200 MSc students and 100 PhD students respectively.
Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, who disclosed this at a sensitization worksop said the educational support programme is specifically crafted by HYPREP for Ogoni postgraduate students alone.
He said the scholarship initiative is part of HYPREP’s extensive strategy and effort to create alternative livelihood sources in hydrocarbon-impacted Ogoniland that align with the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP, Report recommendation.
“This workshop is an essential step in ensuring that all interested Ogoni postgraduate students and candidates for this scheme understand the purpose, process, and benefits of the scholarship programme. This sensitization is critical because it will equip you with the knowledge needed to participate confidently and effectively. HYPREP has set up this workshop to answer your questions, clarify our objectives, and help you envision how your education can be transformed into impactful contributions to Ogoniland and the nation.
” I encourage you to embrace this opportunity and take full advantage of what this programme offers. Doing so, you help us ensure that the process remains as transparent and fair as we have pledged it to be. Beyond educational exploits and individual achievements, we urge you to consider the strength that comes from unity. By forming clusters for innovation and peace and coming together as one, you amplify the potential for peace-building and community development in Ogoniland,” he said.
Zabbey further assured the students that the scheme is rooted in integrity, fairness, and inclusivity, adding that each candidate would receive equal opportunity to participate and benefits accordingly, saying, “We have put in place measures to enforce transparency in the process, and all information you require will be made available through our communication channels”.
He urged the students to act as catalyst for development of Ogoniland adding, “As Ogoni postgraduate students, you play a strategic role in the long-term success of HYPREP’s initiatives. Your academic expertise, combined with a commitment to community upliftment, will be a catalyst for positive change in Ogoniland”.
Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP has reiterated the need for peace in Ogoniland for the cleanup exercise to succeed.
Zabbey, who used the occasion of the educational support sensitization worksop to appeal for unity in Ogoniland, noted that that without peace, the long expected restoration of Ogoni environment cannot be achieved.
He said: “He said Ogoni people have long waited for the restoration of their land, which has suffered from years of oil contamination. However, while this project is mainly about restoring the environment and community livelihoods, it is also about rebuilding the spirit of Ogoniland. For progress to be sustainable, we need unity and a collective commitment to peaceful coexistence among all Ogoni communities. Without peace, efforts such as being driven by HYPREP cannot thrive. Every effort we make here today and every resource we commit relies on a foundation of harmony and collaboration. You, Ogoni postgraduate students, our youth, are not just beneficiaries but custodians of this peace”.
While reiterating HYPREP’s commitment to continuously engage Ogoni stakeholders, Zabbey disclosed that in the coming weeks, more livelihoods programmes of the agency would be rolled out for the people.
He also announced that HYPREP has created about 130 different projects in Ogoniland designed to implement the UNEP report.
He listed the projects to include soil and groundwater remediation, shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, strengthening public health systems, sundry livelihood interventions, and the building of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER).
Others he outlined includes the construction of the Ogoni Power Project, the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and the Buan Cottage Hospital, adding that the projects have created direct and indirect jobs for a critical mass of youths and women in the area.
Also speaking, Mrs. Josephine Nziidee, Head of Livelihood Programmes at HYPREP, gave an overview of the organization’s livelihood interventions program in Ogoniland and highlighted the successes achieved in various skills training, where beneficiaries are set to receive starter packs.
She noted that most trainees have secured gainful employment, with top performers recommended for further opportunities, adding that grants were awarded to small-scale businesses to assist them upscale their enterprises.
Josephine, listed other initiatives by the agency to include vocational training for 5,000 Ogoni people in 20 different skill sets, support for 40 nano businesses in community markets, and educational support for 200 Ogoni final-year students, support for agro-business and entrepreneurial skills training, cassava processing training, and mangrove restoration amongst others.
Earlier, Mr. Edward Baa, Managing Director of Pa-Ed Multilinks, the consulting firm incharge of the scholarship application and screening process, navigated the process of application for the students. He emphasized the importance of applying through the official website which he said would be opened in the next 48 hours.
Stressing that the process would be purely on merit, Baa, cautioned prospective applicants against sharp practices, document falsification, and other malpractices.
On their part, Mr. Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane and Comr. Nbooh Eugene Deekor, who represented Ogoni Postgraduate Students Union commended HYPREP for the initiative, urging Ogoni leaders and all stakeholders to support the project.
