HYPREP Disburses N350m Postgraduate Scholarships To 500 Ogoni Students
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has disbursed N350 million in postgraduate scholarship grants to 500 Ogoni students pursuing master's and doctoral (PhD) degrees, as part of efforts to promote human capital development, strengthen research capacity and advance sustainable development in the region.
The beneficiaries comprise 300 master's degree students, each receiving N500,000, and 200 PhD students, who received N1 million each.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this on Thursday at the Ogoni Postgraduate Scholarship Grant Award Ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Zabbey said the scholarship programme was designed to empower Ogoni students through education, improve their employability and equip them with the knowledge and expertise needed to contribute to environmental restoration, community development and national progress.
He explained that the initiative, which commenced two years ago, formed part of HYPREP's broader commitment to improving the livelihoods of Ogoni people through education, skills acquisition, research and employment generation.
The coordinator urged the beneficiaries to explore research opportunities arising from the ongoing Ogoni cleanup programme, particularly in environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, public health and the socioeconomic and ecological dynamics of the region.
He noted that research findings and innovative solutions developed by the students could strengthen HYPREP's interventions, expand existing knowledge and contribute to addressing the environmental challenges confronting Ogoni.
According to him, HYPREP's commitment to human capital development extends beyond postgraduate scholarships to include research grants for undergraduate students in their penultimate and final years, as well as skills development initiatives aimed at preparing young people for emerging opportunities.
Zabbey cited the involvement of Ogoni youths in raising mangrove seedlings for environmental restoration, noting that their growing expertise would support efforts to restore 13,000 hectares of degraded mangroves.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to regard the scholarship as more than financial assistance, describing it as a call to service that places a responsibility on them to develop solutions to the challenges facing their communities.
He also urged them to build professional networks, promote peaceful coexistence and establish partnerships that would support the long-term development of Ogoni.
Addressing concerns over perceived delays in scholarship disbursement, Zabbey acknowledged the dissatisfaction expressed by some beneficiaries but reaffirmed HYPREP's commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
He explained that public sector interventions required proper planning, approvals, accountability and adherence to due process to ensure effective and sustainable delivery.
The coordinator further highlighted HYPREP's wider interventions under the Ogoni cleanup programme, which include environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, healthcare infrastructure, livelihood support and education.
He listed the projects to include the 100-bed Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a 43-bed Cottage Hospital, a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and the Ogoni Power Project.
He also highlighted the ongoing three-year human biomonitoring survey being conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on cancer, noting that the initiative would contribute to understanding the health implications of environmental pollution.
Zabbey said the interventions were guided by the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme and HYPREP's establishment framework, with the broader objective of addressing the consequences of oil pollution and creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising the Ogoni cleanup under the Renewed Hope Agenda and appreciated the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the HYPREP Governing Council, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for his guidance and support.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Convener of the Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, Comrade Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, commended HYPREP for the scholarship initiative, describing it as an important investment in the education and future of Ogoni students.
The N350 million disbursement is expected to support the beneficiaries in their postgraduate studies while strengthening the pool of skilled professionals and researchers capable of contributing to environmental restoration, scientific research and the socioeconomic development of Ogoni and Nigeria at large.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gbara Celestine Uloma, said in an interview that the gesture was a dream fulfilled, and thanked HYPREP for choosing to support the educational needs and aspirations of Ogoni people.
