The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers State has lauded Professor Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), for the significant strides the project has recorded under his leadership as it continues to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoni.
Senator Mao Ohabunwa, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the UNIPORT Governing Council, conveyed the commendation when he led members of the Council on a courtesy visit to the Project Coordination Office (PCO) in Port Harcourt.
Senator Ohabunwa emphasized that the visit aimed to strengthen the robust relationship between HYPREP and the university in the areas of environmental research, knowledge transfer, and expertise. He described Professor Zabbey as a worthy ambassador of the University of Port Harcourt, given his remarkable achievements in implementing the Ogoni Clean-up programme. He also pledged to support a bill for the establishment of HYPREP as a statutory agency.
During the visit to the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, Senator Ohabunwa expressed admiration for the quality of work at the centre, describing it as world-class. “We are convinced by what we have seen, and we can now confidently affirm that the reports we received before coming here were accurate. The quality of work here is truly remarkable,” he stated.
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In his response, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that it was both symbolic and inspiring. He highlighted the invaluable partnership between HYPREP and the university, which had played a crucial role in various aspects of the remediation project. He said the Department of Geology contributed to site characterisation at several HYPREP sites, while the Department of Fisheries conducted a baseline biodiversity assessment of Bomu Creek, preceding the Mangrove Restoration Programme. He further revealed that the university would participate in an upcoming Public Health Study of Ogoni to be conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Recognising UNIPORT’s substantial contributions to HYPREP, including the presence of many alumni in key management roles, Professor Zabbey acknowledged the institution as the project’s technical backbone. He also underscored HYPREP’s commitment to capacity-building initiatives, which include educational support for 250 Ogoni final-year students and postgraduate scholarships for 300 others.
To reinforce research collaboration, he announced HYPREP’s plan to endow a Chair for Wetland Research at the university and explained that this initiative is essential for further studying the Niger Delta’s extensive wetlands and mangrove ecosystems—the largest in Africa and the fifth largest globally.
Professor Zabbey also congratulated the university on its contributions to national and international development through research and innovation.
A key highlight of the visit was the tour of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) in Wiiyaakara, Khana Local Government Area, where Senator Ohabunwa commended the quality of work at CEER, describing it as world-class. “We are convinced by what we have seen, and we can now confidently affirm that the reports we received before coming here were accurate. The quality of work here is truly remarkable,” he stated.
Also speaking, Vice-Chancellor Professor Owunari Georgewill commended the federal government for establishing CEER, stating that it reflects a commitment to addressing environmental challenges. He emphasized that the University of Port Harcourt would collaborate with the center in conducting research on environmental remediation, further solidifying its role in advancing scientific knowledge and sustainable development.
