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  • MOSOP chieftain welcomes new HYPREP coordinator

    MOSOP chieftain welcomes new HYPREP coordinator

    A chieftain of the Movement for the Survival Of Ogoni People (MOSOP) Fegalo Nsuke on Sunday hailed President Bola Tinubu for his choice of Dr Olufemi Adekanmbi as new coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), saying the appointment marked a turning point for the Ogoni clean-up project.

    The appointment of Adekambi, a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture and Tourism in Ondo State and member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), was announced by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Saturday.

    Nsuke who is recognised in a section of MOSOP as President, noted that even though the new coordinator was not from Ogoni, what mattered  most under the present circumstance was competence and capacity to undertake the clean-up of Ogoni.

    He lamented that Ogoni sons have been in the position in the past but could not deliver satisfactorily, adding “what matters to us is someone who can deliver. We have had Ogonis there for eight years and we’ve been disappointed. So if Adekanmbi does it right, we are fine with that.”

    He also set an agenda for the new HYPREP coordinator. He said: “We want him to prioritize water provision and implement the integrated water project which was approved by the Governing Council of HYPREP in 2017.

    “We will also want him to focus more on proper clean-up of both surface and underground pollution. That’s actually his mandate.”

    Prof Iniodu George, an environmentalist and professor of environmental and public health parasitology in the department of environmental biology at the University of Cross River State, has commended Tinubu for the choice of Adekanmbi.

    He said in an interview on Sunday: “The President anticipates the exercise of competence, dedication, and professionalism in fulfilling the mission of the HYPREP to restore and revitalize communities impacted by hydrocarbon pollution, with a primary focus on Ogoniland in Nigeria.

    “We want him to prioritize water provision and implement the integrated water project which was approved by the Governing Council of HYPREP in 2017.

    “I expect the new coordinator to spring into action to review the state of affairs in Ogoni clean-up effort and engage best available technology to enhance timely and permanent results in the remediation of the impacted ecosystems, as well chart a course for the provision of sustainable infrastructure and socioeconomic amenities, especially access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.

    “The appointment of a new project coordinator for HYPREP coming on the heels of the 2024 Niger Delta Summit, where the chronic devastation of the region’s environment was again vehemently decried by participants and natives, signifies a pragmatic intention by Mr. President to address the issues of oil pollution in the Niger Delta.”

  • Ogoni youth council commends HYPREP’s leadership for transformation

    Ogoni youth council commends HYPREP’s leadership for transformation

    The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) has lauded the transformative leadership of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) project coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, citing significant strides in development since his appointment in May 2023.

    In a statement, NYCOP expressed gratitude for Prof. Zabbey’s stewardship, highlighting numerous completed projects aimed at addressing longstanding challenges stemming from hydrocarbon pollution.

    NYCOP President Nwibani Marcus said: “The positive attitude of the Project Coordinator makes this difficult project so much more manageable and far-reaching. His dedication is evident in the numerous completed projects that have significantly alleviated the plight of our people and set them on a path to purposeful ventures.”

    Marcus emphasised the enduring impact of Prof. Zabbey’s tenure, stating, “Following the track record of the Project Coordinator, we are confident he won’t settle for less. He has shown unwavering determination to achieve his goals, which has resonated positively with the Ogoni youths.”

    Read Also: Ogoni oil spillage: Hyprep trains 5000 women, youth on cleanup of Ogoni land

    The statement underscored community satisfaction with HYPREP’s initiatives under Prof. Zabbey’s leadership, particularly highlighting the training of over 5000 Ogoni youths and the implementation of vital livelihood programs.

    “The active involvement of our youths is crucial to our societal growth,” Marcus added.

    In response to ongoing economic challenges, NYCOP urged swift economic measures to support youth empowerment, proposing a 20% pay increase and the distribution of starter packs.

    “We urge that these commitments be swiftly honoured to mitigate the effects of the current economic downturn,” Marcus concluded.

  • Ogoni oil spillage: Hyprep trains 5000 women, youth on cleanup of Ogoni land

    Ogoni oil spillage: Hyprep trains 5000 women, youth on cleanup of Ogoni land

    Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project yesterday disclosed that the long ever awaited Ogoni Land oil Spillage which has becomes a menace to the Communities involved has finally seen the light of the day as an organization, Hydrocarbons Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has already started the cleaning up of the Area.

    The Project Coordinator disclosed this while briefing the press at the 17th Meeting of the National Council on Environment (NCE), in Abuja, stating that
    apart from the cleaning up of the oil spillage in Ogoni Land, HYPREP has also trained about 5000 Youths and Women from the Area for a sustainable development livelihoods.

    According to Prof. Zabbey, “The cleaning up of Ogoni land comprises of about 2000 hectares of both the medium risk site and a complex high risk site oil degraded areas. The project is in phases, that is, mangrove areas and a complex shore light areas. The former mangrove areas is about 560 hectares. Our mangrove system of restoring spillage areas is the best globally as that last and the best five times than tropical rainforest.

    Read Also: HYPREP partners firm to empower 454 Ogoni

    “So we have started with a pilot of 560 hectares and the community people are fully involved. Even the contract of the mangos seeds are been given to them to provide for planting. HYPREP is committed to enhance the capacity of the local people. We build the capacity of the local people which we refer to as environment vandals”.

    The Community people are directly involved in the planting also as part of our broad livelihood programme. At the moment we have also trained about 5,000 youth and women, because we want to create a sustainable livelihood for them.
    We are at the same time restoring the environment in order to resuscitate the traditional livelihoods of the people which is basically fishing and farming.

  • Ogoni youths decry inadequate compensation, poor payments by HYPREP contractors

    Ogoni youths decry inadequate compensation, poor payments by HYPREP contractors

    Rivers State youths under the auspices of Ogoni Youths Federation (OYF), have accused the contractors engaged by Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in the ongoing Ogoni clean-up, of underpaying their workers and inadequate compensation to land and crop owners.

    OYF in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday by its Spokesman, Emmanuel Goteh Bie and Secretary-General, Mesua Ntormabari, said its members recently protested at the headquarters of HYPREP in Port Harcourt to register their grievances.

    They claimed that the contractors engaged by HYPREP to carry out 100-bed space at Kpite in Tai Local Government of Rivers State failed to pay workers and give compensation to crop and land owners.

    They said the workers engaged by HYPREP contractors at the ongoing centre of excellence at Wiyakara community in Khana Local Government were underpaid.

    Read Also: 2024 budget: Katsina govt allocates 20% to water, education sectors – Commissioner

    They said: “Ogoni Youth Federation takes responsibility for the protest carried out recently for the reasons of underpayment of workers at the ongoing centre of excellence at Wiyakara community in Khana Local Government by contractors; inadequate compensation to land/crop owners at Kpite in Tai Local Government by the contractor handling the 100-bed space hospital and lack of adherence to corporate social responsibility and local content components by contractors handling HYPREP jobs in Ogoniland.

    “We have been advised by Ogoni elders and critical stakeholders to suspend further civil actions and explore alternative means of dispute resolution to achieve the above items stated.

    “Ogoni Youth Federation hereby calls off further protest as a means of resolving the above impasse.

    That Ogoni Youth Federation distances itself from any contractual transaction with one of the contractors.”

  • Ogoni seeks release of $300m compensation, rejects militarisation

    Ogoni seeks release of $300m compensation, rejects militarisation

    The people of Ogoni in Rivers State have urged the Federal Government to help secure the release of $300 million compensation paid to them over the oil deposit in their land.

    They also urged the United Nations to blacklist anyone involved in militarising indigenous people and territories, which they said has grave consequences on human rights and livelihoods.

    A former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) , Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, said the people have taken the Federal and Rivers state governments before the United Nations over the alleged non-release of the $300 million.

    He was addressing the 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The Council deals with issues of human rights violations across the world. The meeting began on September 11 and will end today.

    Pyagbara alleged that the $300 million was released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) early this year as compensation to the people of Ogoni, but was being withheld. The former MOSOP leader called on the UN to take every necessary step to ensure the money is paid to the Ogoni people.

    He also urged the Federal Government to investigate the killing of over 5,000 Ogoni sons and daughters by the military, and pay reparations for the lives lost due to Ogoniland’s militarisation.

    Read Also: Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    “The case of Ogoni people came into limelight in 1995, with the hanging of their leader and environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni activists by the government, to protect the interest of Shell and their collaborators in Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian government has not opened an investigation into the killing of 5,000 Ogoni persons when Ogoniland was militarised, leading to the killing of Ogoni nine and thereafter. The reparation programmes as recommended by the UN Secretary-General’s Fact-finding Team to Ogoni have not been done even at this moment. The expert mechanism report highlighted reparation as one way to provide any redress.

    “I urge the UN Human Rights Council to prevail on the Nigerian government led by President Bola Tinubu, to release the sum of $300 million paid by NNPC Ltd through NPDC, as compensation to the people of Ogoni which the Rivers State government is currently holding.”

    Pyagbara also called for the blacklisting and denouncing of states, companies and governments involved in militarisation as a tool for climate change mitigation.

  • Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    A former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, has petitioned the Federal Government and the United Nations’ General Assembly over alleged failure to investigate the Ogoni massacre of the 1990s.

    Pyagbara, the executive director of the African Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), reportedly submitted the petition at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Read Also: Monarch laments exclusion of Ogoni from Fubara’s exco

    In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by AIFES Director of Communications, Sunny Zorvah, the ex-president expressed regrets that succeeding Nigerian governments had ignored the need to launch investigations into the killing of hundreds of indigenes of Ogoni communities by the military allegedly deployed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and refused to pay reparations for the lives lost because of the militarisation of Ogoniland.

  • Monarch laments exclusion of Ogoni from Fubara’s exco

    Monarch laments exclusion of Ogoni from Fubara’s exco

    The Paramount Ruler of Baroko Community in Gokana Local Government of Rivers State, Kadilo Kaabari, has decried the exclusion of Ogoni ethnic nationality from the executive council (exco) of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    He lamented that the people of Ogoni were marginalised and treated like modern-day political slaves in the state.

    Kaabari spoke when a socio-cultural political group, Sor Ogoni, visited him yesterday in his palace.

    The monarch said it was sad that nobody from the two key Ogoni local governments, Gokana and Khana, had been appointed as a commissioner in Fubara’s administration.

    He asked the leaders of apex Ogoni socio-cultural  group, KAGOTE, an acronym for Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, the four councils comprising Ogoniland, the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and other Ogoni political leaders to wake up from their slumber and agitate for the rights of their people.

    The monarch said:  “Imagine we the Ogoni people that even the colonial masters could not conquer are now seen as modern day political slaves with no voice due to the antics of some politicians who I prefer to call ‘belleticians’.” 

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates NUPRC boss Komolafe at 60

    “Imagine that up till now Khana and Gokana have no commissioner in the Rivers State Executive Council. We cannot see Julius Berger doing internal roads in any part of Ogoni land.”

    He complained that the palace of prominent Ogoni king was being desecrated in the full glare, while Ogoni leaders, especially those in elective positions, kept quiet.

    The monarch said his late predecessor, Mene Barikura Kabari, who was also a former executive chairman of Gokana Local Government, would always be remembered for his role in the struggle for political emancipation of the Ogoni people.

    The National Coordinator of Sor Ogoni, Elder Jude Nwiko, said the visit was to remember the late Mene Barikura Kabari, whose contributions towards the Ogoni political struggle had left a legacy that would stand the test of time.

  • Ogoni people express worry over clean-up

    The Ogoni people have expressed worry over the Federal Government’s willingness to carry out the clean-up exercise in Ogoniland as recommended by the United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP).

    UNEP in its report had recommended that a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration be established in  Ogoniland. This, it said, would promote learning in other areas impacted by oil contamination in the Niger Delta.According to UNEP, offering  a  range  of  activities  and  services,  the  centre could run training courses in environmental monitoring and  restoration  and  ultimately  become  a  model for environmental restoration, attracting international attention.

    It also recommended that the  Ogoni  community  should  take  full  advantage of the employment, skills development and other opportunities that will be created by  the  clean-up  operation  which  is  aimed  at  improving  their  living  conditions  and  livelihoods.

    The Media and Public Affairs Adviser of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Bariara Kpalap, said the entire clean up exercise is being politicised. According to him, the Ogoni people are not yet certain the government meant to carry out the exercise as recommended by UNEP.

    He said: “Nothing is happening. The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) claims to have awarded contracts to some contractors and also given them time to commence work but as I speak with you nothing absolutely has been done.”

    He told The Nation on  telephone that measures such as provision of potable water, assessing the health issues of the people, building of health centres and centre of excellence, among others, as recommended by the UNEP report are yet to be seen. The powers that be are just using it to gain their political course.

    He confirmed that some contractors had been given site, but nobody is on any site. “The first step that should be taken is addressing the issue of water, determining the health states of the people and building of health centres, have not taken off till this moment.

    “I’m telling you that in my community (Kegbara Dere), there’s a site that would have been cleaned in this very contract that has been awarded, with other communities such as  (Gokana), nobody is anywhere doing anything. Nothing is happening. I’m telling you as a matter of fact, I can say it anywhere my community would have been one among those the clean-up would have taken place.

    “MOSOP has been campaigning that this should be done. It’s now HYPREP that’s not telling us the truth. Some money has been given for this and on the basis of that they have awarded contracts to some people (contractors), so if those things have happened why are the people not working?”, he asked.

    The Ogoni people, he said, want the clean-up exercise to take off properly. “What we want is what’s practical, if it is the issue of water, give us water, you have the money to give us water, if its building integrated centre, build it.

    “The ground breaking ceremony was done some years back. You have now gotten some money, and we are not saying that you should invest all the money here, but something has to happen that will create confidence in the people that at the end of the day the environment will be restored, and our own means of livelihood will be restored. Currently, there is nothing like that, therefore, many people believe the entire project is just a rip-off, he added.

  • FG gets Nov 30 deadline to end environmental terrorism in Ogoni

    The marginalised Ogoni people in Rivers State in the Niger Delta have given the Federal Government up till November 30 this year to end environmental terrorism in Ogoniland, in order to have a sense of belonging, with the injustice addressed.

    President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), Chief Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, made the disclosure yesterday in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, during the 23rd Ogoni Martyrs Day, marking the hanging of a renowned environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni activists at Port-Harcourt Prisons, during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha on November 10, 1995.

    Pyagbara stated that with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) declared persona-non-grata in Ogoni, another oil company would only be allowed to resume oil production in Ogoniland, consisting of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas, after a broad-based discussion with Ogoni people.

    The Anglo/Dutch oil giant (Shell) was sent packing from Ogoniland in 1993, with MOSOP President disclosing that in the last one year, there had been intense pressure by unnamed oil companies to re-enter Ogoniland, for the ultimate resumption of oil production.

    The Ogoni martyrs day was attended by the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Victor Giadom; Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherlands, Oji Ngofa; the pioneer Secretary-General of MOSOP, Prof. Ben Naanen, of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), who chaired the occasion; Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast); and the Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Dr. Marvin Dekil.

    On the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, MOSOP President said: “In the last one year, we have seen intense pressure to re-enter Ogoni for the ultimate resumption of oil production in our land. While Shell remains persona-non-grata in Ogoni, we have stated repeatedly that Ogoni oil assets cannot be partitioned and allocated like the partitioning of Africa, to any investor without the Free, Prior and informed Consent of the Ogoni people, as guaranteed under international human rights law, particularly the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples( UNDRIP).”

  • I couldn’t mourn my father until 10 years after his execution, says Zina Saro-Wiwa

    Zina Saro-Wiwa says she was unable to mourn her father, Ken Saro-Wiwa, a playwright and Ogoni activist, until 10 years after his execution.

    The New York-based artist disclosed this in an interview with Frieze, a UK magazine.

    Saro-Wiwa was hanged in 1995 for his alleged involvement in the murder of four Ogoni chiefs under the regime of Sani Abachi, late military dictator.

    According to Zina, her father’s death came as a rude shock, forcing her to cut off all ties with anything that reminded her of him.

    The former journalist said her decision to produce a documentary about her father’s legacy sent her on a journey of recovery, which helped her to come to terms with his death.

    “I didn’t move into art consciously. It proved to be the only strategy that allowed me to deal with what had happened to me and my family and Nigeria,” she told the magazine.

    “For 10 years after my father’s execution, I hadn’t really mourned him and chose to cut myself off from anything that surrounded his legacy, as there seemed to be no real space for me within it. He became an international symbol, rather than my father.

    “When I was ready to deal with it I thought that making a documentary about him would be the way for me to reclaim some of his memory and to forge a connection with Nigeria.

    “But every time I went to a pitching meeting at a production company I would break down sobbing. I eventually made a video that dealt directly with my inability to mourn my father’s death: Sarogua Morning (2011).

    “It was a video performance where I shaved my head and forced myself to cry and mourn in front of the camera. That was the film I needed to make. Not a documentary. This work gave me agency, resilience. It made me research mourning cultures around the world and in Ogoniland.

    “It made me think about the relationship between performance and catharsis; it commented on the gap between the public and private sphere when it came to mourning his death. It was also painful and very hard work.”