Livelihood Programme

HYPREP has the mandate to provide alternative livelihood for people in Ogoniland whose sources of income have been adversely affected by oil spills.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR 5000 OGONI PEOPLE

HYPREP commenced training of five thousand (5000) Ogoni people in Twenty (20) different vocational skill sets in October 2023 using training facilities in Port Harcourt, Eleme and Bori.

Wrapping up Phase 1 of the vocational training for 5,000 Ogoni youths and women with the issuance of starter kits and certificates at a symbolic event held at Port Harcourt in December 2024, the Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey urged beneficiaries to utilize the skills acquired to transform the region into a hub of economic activities. He enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the skills and kits to benefit their families and communities, seeing it as an opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods, uplift communities and meaningfully contribute to the national economy.

AWARDS OF 300 POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS TO OGONI YOUTHS

Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) awarded three hundred (300) post-graduate scholarships to Ogoni youths who are pursuing their Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Nigerian Universities. At the award ceremony held in Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey congratulated the youths on their success in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and other screening exercises that led to their emergence as winners of the 2024 HYPREP Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme. Prof. Zabbey expressed satisfaction with the selection process that HYPREP put in place to screen the candidates, saying that the successful applicants were selected based on merit. “At HYPREP, we believe that education is not only the bedrock of personal growth but a transformative tool that can unlock new opportunities and create sustainable alternative sources of livelihood for oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland”

SUPPORT FOR FORTY NANO BUSINESSES IN COMMUNITY MARKET

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in June 2024 extended its sustainable alternative livelihood programme to 40 Ogoni table market women in community markets, providing them with training and support funds to the tune of N4,000,000, in its pilot support scheme for nano businesses in the four LGAs.

The initiative is aimed at boosting small businesses in Ogoni communities, in recognition of the critical roles they play in stimulating economic growth and activities for sustainable livelihoods at the community level.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT TO TWO HUNDRED (200) OGONI FINAL YEAR STUDENTS

The Project Coordination Office of HYPREP opened the portal for applications from Ogoni students in their final year from 30th January to 3rd March 2023. After stringent verification and screening, Two Hundred students were selected and invited to further screening. On Friday 12th April 2024, the Two Hundred successful students were supported with the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty thousand naira (N250,000.00) each.

Business Intervention Support Fund

Through a Needs Assessment exercise, businesses were identified for transparency and inclusiveness. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from over One Hundred communities underwent Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping, verification, and assessment to identify challenges and support needs. Selected business owners were trained in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center to enhance their capacities. The Business Intervention Support Fund aims to promote local economic growth by assisting small businesses. The expectation is for beneficiaries to become dependable entrepreneurs, driving community development through job creation, innovation, and the enrichment of Ogoniland’s unique character.

Mangrove Transplanting and Revegetation

As the remediation processes progress into revegetation of remediated lands, the Project Coordination Office thought it wise to train Ogoni youths as mangrove vanguards for the next phase of the remediation project. A mangrove consultant, Prof. Tanee Franklin was engaged for a three (3) month intensive mangrove revegetation training. Upon completion of the theory, trainees proceeded to Bomu creek to establish their own mangrove nurseries. The training was so successful that trainees were employing assistants to manage their vast nursery beds.

Commencement of Aviation Trainings

Following the application and shortlisting of qualified applicants for trainings in the aviation industry; the Project Coordination Office engaged Cabin Training Institute (CTI) to carry out the selection of One Hundred (100) trainees, twenty-five (25) persons per LGA. The screening was a three-day event and covered the following: Written test on Nov 8th at Suanu Finimale Hall Bori, Oral Interview on Nov 9th at Suanu Finimale Hall Bori and Swimming test at Sports complex swimming pool, University of Port Harcourt.The first batch trainees numbering Fifteen (15) anD second batch trainees numbering Fourteen (14) totals Twenty-nine (29) Ogonis have been trained in the cabin crew so far.

Environmental Club Quiz Competition

The Project Coordination Office initiated environmental clubs in Twelve schools across Ogoniland, with Three schools per Local Government Area (LGA). These clubs aim to educate students about HYPREP activities and environmental issues, fostering social skills and informed decision-making. Experts from HYPREP’s thematic areas regularly engage in interactive sessions with students. To assess their understanding, a quiz competition was organized. Participating schools include Community Secondary School, Bori, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ken-Poly Bori, Birabi Memorial Grammar School, and others across Khana, Gokana, Tai, and Eleme LGAs.

Agri-Business and entrepreneurial Skills Training

Four hundred women were trained in agri-business and entrepreneurial skills at the Songhai Farms, Bunu, Tai Local Government Area and on a larger scale, the project is training more women and youths some of whom were former artisanal refiners. The women trained at the Songhai Farms have already been organized into Cooperative Societies and are operating their farms.

Cassava Processing Training

There was the initial training of some Ogoni youths in the fabrication and use of cassava processing machines at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA Onne. For sustainability of the programme, a cassava processing factory was set up in Korokoro Community in Tai Local Government Area and the trained youths registered as a Cooperative group.