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Ogoniland: 500 Youths Recruited, Deployed As Security Supporting Clean-up Sites, Facilities – Project Coordinator

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

… As CSOs Pledge Sustained Pressure on HYPREP To Deliver On Mandate

No fewer than 500 youths have been recruited and deployed as civil security supporting clean-up sites and facilities in Ogoniland, Professor Nenibari Zabbey, Project Coordinator, Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), has disclosed.

Zabbey who made the disclosure during a day National Roundtable on the HYPREP, organised by the Peoples Advancement Centre (PAC) in Port Harcourt, vowed to prioritise mangrove restoration with a view to
adequately addressing the livelihood challenges of the locals.

According to a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Elvira Jordan, Communications Officer, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), the National Roundtable had in attendance over 20 civil society groups including ERA/FoEN, women-led and grassroots groups from across the country.

The statement added that Zabbey, during the meeting pledged to work constructively with civil society to addressing the gaps in the operations of the agency.

He announced that the gender disparity in the agency as reflected in only 5% women in the agency will be addressed to ensure parity with the menfolk.

He disclosed his readiness to put in place a framework for inclusion, community engagement and standard operating procedures within the shortest possible time to ensure that the gaps observed by Ogoni people and civil society are addressed headlong.

On his part, Chima Williams, Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, restated the resolve of civil society groups advancing the full implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Assessment Report on Ogoniland to work with the new leadership of HYPREP to achieve the objective.

The ERA/FoEN boss on behalf of others pledged civil society groups’ commitment in playing their watchdog role in order to make the new helmsman succeed and the goals of the UNEP Assessment achieved.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, PAC Convener, Celestine Akpobari explained that HYPREP as an agency of government was not set up for the love of the impacted people of Ogoniland, but because of civil society pressure exposing the decades long injustices meted on the Ogoni people.

Akpobari said the convening was targeted at getting the new leadership of HYPREP to stay on course in implementing the UNEP assessment even as he noted that HYPREP had deviated from its original mandate in some cases.

Some critical recommendations from the convening are the need for Federal Government to go back and adhere to the original mandate that the HYPREP was conceived to achieve; the need for a civil society liaison desk within HYPREP; the immediate need for HYPREP to carry out chemical, air and health assessments as recommended by the UNEP Assessment Report in Ogoniland, and the need for the agency to address current observed staff shortages in key areas such as monitoring and operations for it to be able to deliver on its mandate, among others.

Related Topics:#Ogoniland Chima WILLIAMS ERA/FoEN HYPREP

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.