President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
This decision followed a performance review that concluded Zabbey is fit to continue his role, as announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, on Monday.
The statement read, “By the directive of the president, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.”
The reinstatement follows significant pressure from the Movement for The Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and various youth leaders in Ogoni, Rivers State, who had given the Federal Government a 24-hour ultimatum to reinstate Zabbey.
MOSOP, through its president, Prof. Olu Wai-Oguso, emphasized Zabbey’s qualifications and dedication to the environmental remediation of Ogoni land as outlined in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report.
MOSOP demanded Zabbey’s reinstatement to ensure stability and continuity within HYPREP, cautioning against using the project for political purposes. They threatened to prevent any non-Ogoni from taking over the role and to seal the HYPREP office in Port-Harcourt if their demands were not met.
The leadership change at HYPREP had sparked widespread reactions. On July 13, a press release by Ngelale announced the appointment of Dr. Olufemi Adekambi as the new HYPREP coordinator, which was met with dissatisfaction from various Ogoni groups.
Representatives from the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Ogoni Youths Federation, Ogoni Students Association Worldwide, and the Association of Ogoni Martyrs expressed their opposition to the appointment of Dr. Adekambi. They argued that Ogoni has qualified individuals capable of managing the project, which was initiated through their own efforts and sacrifices without federal assistance.
Youth leaders, including NYCOP President Brinuazor Emmanuel and National President of Ogoni Students Worldwide Daniel Karakpon, vowed to shut down all project sites if Prof. Zabbey was not reinstated. They emphasized their commitment to resisting the new appointment, which was set to take effect on Monday, July 15.
President Tinubu’s decision to reinstate Prof. Zabbey aims to address these concerns and ensure the continued progress of the HYPREP project in line with the expectations of the Ogoni people.
