The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project has trained 100 youths in seafaring to provide alternative livelihoods for young people in Ogoniland, Rivers State, and strengthen Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
The training is part of the ongoing clean-up and remediation of oil-impacted sites in Ogoniland, in line with recommendations from the United Nations Environmental Program report.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasised the importance of the training, saying it aligns with the federal government’s Blue Economy objectives.
He said the graduation marks an important milestone in HYPREP’s efforts to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland.
“Today is a special day, not just for the graduates, but for the entire project and the Ogoni people. It is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and a new chapter in the lives of these young individuals,” he said.
Zabbey added, “We are also celebrating vision, resilience, and hope. Hope that it is being translated into skills, certificates, and tangible opportunities for a better future for the Ogoni youths.”
He noted that by equipping youths with globally relevant seafaring skills, HYPREP is opening doors to alternative sources of income while discouraging oil theft, artisanal refining, re-pollution, and other practices that threaten the environment.
“These skills and your achievements should not end here; rather, they should serve as a springboard for self-reliance, dignity of labour, and long-term economic empowerment for the good of Ogoniland and our dear country,” Zabbey said.
He emphasised that the project has strong confidence in Ogoni youths as drivers of unity, peace, and progress. “We are pleased to note that the Ogoni youth have shown remarkable resilience and commitment to peace in the area, and we are proud of the progress made so far. As a project, we are committed to supporting the aspirations of Ogoni youths and women.
“We hear your voices calling for restoration, and today, environmental and livelihood restoration are gradually unfolding before your eyes, bringing renewed hope. We continue to lay brick upon brick, building pillars of Ogoni development, as evidenced by the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, which is 93% completed.
“This partnership must span the length and breadth of Ogoniland from Akpajo in Eleme to Kono Waterside in Khana, from the ends of Koroma in Tai to Sivibilagbara in Bodo in Gokana.
“Together, we must continue to walk as one united family, surmounting all challenges and building the Ogoni we desire. We must commit to peace and contribute our share to the Federal Government’s restoration efforts in Ogoni,” Zabbey stated.
He commended Charkins Maritime Academy for the partnership and the graduates for their dedication and commitment to completing the programme.
Also speaking, HYPREP Project Lead for Renaissance Africa Energy reiterated that the company remains committed to initiatives that advance environmental recovery, human capacity development, and other economic opportunities in Ogoni and the Niger Delta.
He stated, “The UNEP report on Ogoniland emphasised that environmental restoration must be accompanied by sustainable livelihood, capacity building and opportunities for young people, and without fulfilling this objective, the clean-up cannot be complete.”
In his charge to the graduates, he said, “The field you are about to enter is vast and also challenging but it’s also full of opportunities. Let discipline guide your actions, let safety remain your companion and let your character speak for you wherever you go.
“Remember that you are carrying not only your personal ambition but also the hopes of your families and your communities. Be ambassadors of professionalism, be ambassadors of Ogoniland,” he stated.
Speaking to our reporter, one of the beneficiaries, Mercy Chuzor, thanked HYPREP and the maritime academy for the opportunity, saying, “For a very long time now, we, the Ogoni people, have been involved in other aspects of activities but not in the maritime sector.”