The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 500 Ogoni graduates in Rivers State to promote human capacity development, research, and sustainable livelihoods.
HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this at the scholarship award ceremony on Friday, urging beneficiaries to use the opportunity to contribute to Ogoni’s development and address its environmental challenges.
He said the initiative formed part of HYPREP’s efforts to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme report on Ogoniland, particularly in human capacity building and the promotion of alternative livelihoods.
Zabbey encouraged the beneficiaries to see the scholarship as a responsibility to serve their communities and develop solutions to challenges facing Ogoni.
“Education gives you knowledge, but it also places a responsibility on you to use that knowledge to improve society,” he said.
He added that HYPREP’s environmental remediation and livelihood programmes required the active participation of researchers, communities, government institutions and other stakeholders.
The project coordinator listed government institutions, Rivers State Government agencies, local councils, traditional institutions, Ogoni communities, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited and civil society organisations among the project’s partners.
Of the 500 beneficiaries, 300 master’s degree students received ₦500,000 each, while 200 doctoral students received ₦1 million each.
The scholarship scheme is expected to strengthen research capacity and prepare Ogoni graduates to contribute to environmental restoration and sustainable development.
