The Ogoni community in Rivers State has received assurances from the Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP) of its dedication to long-term peacekeeping and land development.
This was revealed by Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, the coordinator of the HYPREP project, while addressing Ogoni stakeholders in the United States during the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP-USA) November 10 anniversary celebration.
According to Zabbey, the project's numerous initiatives and programs in the region demonstrate its dedication to the people of Ogoni.
He said: "It is our desire to see sustainable ecosystem, peace and development in Ogoniland. Since 2017 the Federal Government of Nigeria through HYPREP has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the people of Ogoniland live in a clean and economically viable environment.
"We believe that a clean environment is the gateway to the realisation of other goals and this platform –the 2023 commemoration – offers innovative and new workable model for stakeholder engagement and co-operation for the achievement of these set goals.“
According to the HYPREP coordinator, 5,000 Ogoni women and youths have received training in 20 distinct skill sets related to livelihood provision. Additionally, 100 youth have received training in major skill areas such as aviation, mechatronics, seafaring, and creative arts.
