HYPREP Allocates N200 Million in Scholarships to 300 Postgraduate Students from Ogoniland

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has awarded N200 million in scholarships to 300 postgraduate students from Ogoniland, focusing on capacity development and the transformative power of education in the region.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has awarded scholarship grants totaling N200 million to 300 postgraduate students from Ogoniland, aiming to enhance human capacity development in the region.

Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator of HYPREP, announced this initiative in a statement to journalists on Saturday in Abuja. He revealed that out of the beneficiaries, 200 are pursuing Master’s degrees while 100 are enrolled in PhD programs, all selected through a rigorous and transparent process that began in October 2024 following HYPREP’s announcement.

“The 100 PhD recipients each received N1 million, while the 200 Master’s students were granted N500,000 each,” Mr. Zabbey stated. He emphasized that the selection was based on merit, showcasing HYPREP’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in its projects in Ogoniland.

Mr. Zabbey underscored the transformative power of education, which can unlock new possibilities and create sustainable livelihoods for communities impacted by oil activities. He encouraged the students, seen as vital stakeholders and agents of change, to contribute to HYPREP’s ongoing efforts in environmental and livelihood restoration.

“Your role as postgraduate students extends beyond academia; you are peace-builders who should foster unity, collaboration, and peaceful coexistence within Ogoni communities and beyond. Your efforts will help bridge connections in Ogoniland, promoting ongoing dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective public action,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Mr. Zabbey mentioned that HYPREP plans to launch new projects in 2025 to enhance job creation and increase the employability of Ogoni youths and women. He assured that digital ICT facilities would be established in selected secondary schools in Ogoniland to support learning.

Josephine Nzidee, head of sustainable livelihood at HYPREP, highlighted plans to assist 2,000 Ogoni farmers as part of food security initiatives. She also noted that HYPREP would offer research support grants to 200 final-year Ogoni students and establish an additional 20 environment clubs, “Green Frontiers,” in 2025.

“The members of Green Frontiers will be trained in nurturing and planting economic fruit trees and vegetables in Ogoni communities, contributing to the project’s beautification goals,” she said, adding that individuals with disabilities would also receive specialized training based on needs identified during assessments.

Mrs. Nzidee detailed the range of specialized skills training that HYPREP would conduct, including seafaring, creative arts, mechatronics, commercial diving, and cybersecurity, along with support for over 500 nano businesses, SMEs, and cooperatives aimed at boosting the local economy.

Edwin Baa, managing director of Pa-Ed Multilinks Consulting, the scholarship grant’s consultant, emphasized the transparent nature of the selection process. “HYPREP continues to prioritize the human capacity development of Ogoni youths and will persist in delivering a people-centered, sustainable cleanup program that meets the community’s needs,” Mr. Baa concluded.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, PEOPLES GAZETTE