OGONI YOUTHS’ PEACEFUL DISPOSITION, SUPPORT, CONTRIBUTING TO CLEANUP SUCCESS- PC ZABBEY
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project is attributing the gains recorded across thematic areas of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme, partly to the peaceful disposition, support, patience and understanding of Ogoni youths to the Project.
Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of HYPREP, addressing Ogoni Youths, yesterday, at the Youth Quarterly Engagement Meeting, held in Port Harcourt, urged them to be steadfast in their commitment to peace and constructive engagement, adding that the Project recognises that environmental restoration cannot succeed without peace, and that development cannot be sustained without a clean and healthy environment.
PC Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to ensuring that the Ogoni youths benefit directly from the Project’s activities, highlighting the evidence to this to include, over 2400 youths acquiring high-demand skills across its livelihood training centres, 1432 community workers recently engaged for shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration projects, and other projects HYPREP is actively pursuing.
Accordingly, the PC stated that over 8500 direct jobs have been created for Ogoni youths and women. This is in addition to HYPREP’s Policy of Inclusivity which ensures that the underserved populations-Women make up 45% of its community workers, and 300 Ogoni Persons Living With Special Needs trained in 5 skill sets.
Beyond the figures, Prof Zabbey emphasised that HYPREP is focused on ensuring that Ogoni youths are not just beneficiaries of the Project, but also active partners and owners of the process of rebuilding Ogoni. He, therefore, charged them to engage with this process, take advantage of the opportunities available, and ensure that the benefits of environmental restoration and economic rebirth translate into improved lives and a progressive Ogoni.
Goodwill and solidarity messages were made by participants at the event. The interactive session provides the platform for HYPREP and Ogoni youths to meet minds, get feedback and synergize towards achieving a truly sustainable people-centred cleanup programme.
Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director, Technical Services of HYPREP, Engr. Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, Renaissance Africa Energy Company(RAEC)/JV Representative on the Project, were among dignitaries at the well attended event
