Ogoni Postgraduates Forum Commends HYPREP, FG As 500 Scholars Receive Grants

The Ogoni Postgraduates Forum has commended the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the Federal Government for sustaining postgraduate scholarship support for Ogoni scholars, describing the initiative as evidence of integrity in leadership and a strategic investment in the intellectual future of Ogoniland.

The Convener of the Forum, Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, gave the commendation during the second edition of the HYPREP Scholarship Support Grant Award Ceremony held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the NAFOWA Multipurpose Hall, Air Force Base, Port Harcourt.

In his address at the ceremony, Nnaane expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his Renewed Hope Agenda for the Ogoni Clean-up Project.

He also thanked the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the HYPREP Governing Council, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, for approving the second edition of the programme, while commending the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, for expanding the scholarship support grant from 300 to 500 beneficiaries.

According to him, the expansion reflects HYPREP's commitment to the educational and intellectual advancement of Ogoni people, particularly postgraduate students whose research could contribute to environmental restoration and sustainable development.

Nnaane recalled that on November 4, 2024, Prof. Zabbey had announced that the postgraduate scholarship support grant would become an annual intervention, noting that the latest award ceremony demonstrated that the commitment had been honoured.

"On the 4th of November, 2024, the HYPREP Project Coordinator declared that the postgraduate grant would become an annual intervention. Today, this award ceremony stands as incontrovertible evidence of that commitment—a testament to integrity in leadership," he said.

He described the inclusion of postgraduate scholarship support in HYPREP's livelihood programme as more than a symbolic gesture, saying it affirmed confidence in the intellectual capacity of Ogoni scholars and represented a strategic investment in their future.

The Forum also commended HYPREP for what it described as significant achievements under Prof. Zabbey's leadership, including the 96 per cent completion of the Centre of Excellence, the construction of specialist and cottage hospitals, and the provision of potable water schemes across several Ogoni communities.

Other milestones highlighted in the address included shoreline remediation, the return of marine biodiversity to Ogoni creeks, with periwinkles, oysters and fish reportedly returning to the waterways, as well as soft skills training for indigent Ogoni youths.

Nnaane described the interventions as important milestones in Ogoniland's history, expressing confidence that sustained implementation of the clean-up project would contribute to the environmental and socioeconomic recovery of the area.

He called on Ogoni people at home and in the diaspora to support HYPREP and its activities, stressing the need for unity in protecting the region's collective heritage, which he said had been shaped by years of struggle and the sacrifices of Ogoni martyrs.

The Convener, however, appealed to HYPREP to deepen research collaborations, particularly in environmental sciences, and prioritise the inclusion of qualified Ogoni scholars in its training programmes, employment opportunities and other project deliverables.

He expressed concern that many Ogoni indigenes

with advanced academic qualifications remained underutilised in the national workforce, urging relevant stakeholders to create opportunities for them to apply their knowledge and expertise.

"As a forum, we make bold to say that Ogoni scholars are not neophytes in academic corridors. We are confident that the scholarship support grant shall be put to appropriate use," he stated.

The Forum also appealed to national and international agencies, as well as public-spirited individuals, to provide additional scholarship support and research collaboration opportunities to reduce the financial burden on Ogoni postgraduate students.

Nnaane further announced that plans were underway for a Pan-Ogoni Scholars Summit, known as PANOSS, where the Minister of Environment and the HYPREP Project Coordinator are expected to be honoured in recognition of their contributions to Ogoniland.

He described the proposed summit as part of the Forum's efforts to acknowledge individuals and institutions contributing to the educational advancement and development of the Ogoni people.

The Convener concluded by reiterating the Forum's appreciation to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Environment and HYPREP for sustaining the scholarship intervention, expressing hope that continued collaboration would strengthen postgraduate research, human capital development and the long-term recovery of Ogoniland.