HYPREP PC JOINS MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT TO PRESENT OGONI CLEANUP SCORECARD TO UNEP IN KENYA
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, accompanied the Honourable Minister of Environment and Chairman of HYPREP Governing Council, Balarabe Abass Lawal, to attend the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNAE) in Nairobi, Kenya. The minister led the Nigerian delegation to the 7th Session of UNEA, which held from 8 – 12 December 2025 at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Headquarters in Nairobi. UNEA is the highest body for environmental decision-making in the world.
This year’s UNEA focuses on advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet.
In a bilateral meeting between the Minister of Environment and the Executive Director of UNEP, Ms Inger Andersen, which was held on Thursday, the 11th morning, the Honourable Minister briefed the UNEP boss on the achievements of the ongoing Ogoni cleanup, stressing acceleration of the cleanup under the Renewed Hope Agenda and solicited for UNEP’s continuous support of the Project their study birthed.
On his part, the PC informed Ms Anderson that HYPREP is concurrently implementing the recommendations of the UNEP report on the Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland. He listed specific thematic achievements recorded as well as the status of ongoing Project activities. Three project reports were presented to the Head of UNEP: the HYPREP Progress Report, the Mangrove Restoration Manual, and the Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Framework Report.
Similarly, Ms Andersen said the Ogoni cleanup is a vital hydrocarbon remediation initiative, noting that UNEP shall contribute to the framework for the sustainable operationalization of HYPREP’s Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. Recall that UNEP had provided technical support to HYPREP from the inception of the project till June 2024.
The PC seized the opportunity of the UNEA mission to discuss partnership and collaboration between HYPREP and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFI), following a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of KMFRI at the institute’s headquarters in Mombasa on Tuesday, 10 December.
Remarkably, the visionary Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who is passionate about adding value to the Ogoni cleanup, graciously witnessed the exploratory partnership talks between the HYPREP PC and KMFRI Director and assured both parties of his ministerial policy support to the initiative. HYPREP and KMFRI agreed to explore technical cooperation in mangrove restoration, oyster farming, and capacity building to achieve food security and improved income for local communities.
Also, in Mombasa, Prof. Zabbey reconnected with Dr David Mirera,17 years after they both co-signed the Lampung Declaration on behalf of the African Mangrove Network (AMN) in 2007 in Indonesia. David is an expert in mariculture, seaweeds and mangrove conservation at the KMFRI.
While in Nairobi, the minister and the PC visited the newly completed headquarters of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (St. Patrick Fathers) of the Catholic Church. The supper interactive session with the St. Patrick Fathers was quite insightful and rewarding, with Fr. Kevin O’Hara in attendance. Fr. O’Hara is a veteran advocate of environmental justice and sustainability of the Niger Delta and has worked extensively in Nigeria. He founded the Port Harcourt-based frontline community development and corporate responsibility nongovernmental organisation (NGO), the Centre for Social and Corporate Responsibility (CSCR).
The St. Patrick Fathers were briefed on the progress of the Ogoni cleanup. Fr. Richard Filima, Superior General (global leader) of the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society, thanked the honourable minister for the visit and assured him of their prayers. Fr. Filima is an Ogoni from Bodo City.
