HYPREP awards postgraduate scholarships to 500 Ogoni graduates

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 500 Ogoni graduates in Rivers State. The scholarship program aims to build human capacity and support research in various academic fields. Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, the HYPREP Project Coordinator, emphasized that the initiative is part of HYPREP's commitment to implementing recommendations from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, which includes promoting alternative livelihoods.

Zabbey encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize this opportunity to contribute to Ogoni's development and address environmental challenges in the area. He congratulated all beneficiaries, stating that beyond the financial grant, the intervention symbolizes renewed hope and the future they are shaping together in Ogoni. Zabbey urged the recipients to view the scholarship as a call to service and to develop ideas and solutions to tackle community challenges.

The scholarship recipients consist of 300 master's degree students, each awarded ₦500,000, and 200 PhD students, each receiving ₦1 million. Zabbey highlighted HYPREP's partnerships with government institutions, local government councils, Ogoni communities, traditional institutions, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited, and various civil society organizations. He stressed that the success of Ogoni's clean-up efforts and future development depend on the contributions of all stakeholders, particularly postgraduate students.