Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, has reaffirmed its commitment to gender inclusivity and empowerment, stating that its projects are significantly benefiting Ogoni women by fostering economic opportunities, participation, and social inclusion.
Marking the 2025 International Women’s Day, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasized the agency’s role in uplifting vulnerable women in oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland.
“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we acknowledge the remarkable contributions of women in Ogoniland and beyond. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ calls for decisive steps towards gender equality. HYPREP is not just talking about inclusion—we are implementing it,” Zabbey stated.
Zabbey in a statement by his Special Adviser on Women and Youth Development, Stephanie Lezigabari Fiiwe, said he has spearheaded a 40% affirmative action policy, ensuring that women are actively involved in project sites and skill-building initiatives.
According to him, the organization is intentional about inclusivity, with women constituting 40% of beneficiaries in its recently concluded skills empowerment program.
“Beyond training, HYPREP has supported 60 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise MSMEs in Ogoniland with business grants of N300,000 each, with women receiving a substantial share of the funds. Additionally, 40 market women have benefitted from a pilot small-business intervention scheme, further reinforcing HYPREP’s commitment to fostering financial independence for Ogoni women.
“In our livelihood restoration efforts, 5,000 women and youth have been trained in 21 different vocational skills, and the process of issuing start-up kits to the beneficiaries is already underway.” These initiatives, according to Prof. Zabbey, are designed to ensure that women in the region gain practical skills that will empower them economically and socially.
“HYPREP’s commitment to women’s empowerment extends beyond economic support. In the education sector, 300 Ogoni postgraduate students, including 100 PhD candidates and 200 master’s degree students, have received scholarships, with over 100 female beneficiaries. Additionally, the organization is investing in digital literacy by installing ICT equipment in five secondary schools, ensuring that young girls have access to modern technology and educational resources.
“The health sector has also witnessed significant improvements through HYPREP’s interventions. Several primary health centres and hospitals in Bori, Terabor, Kpite, and Nchia have been upgraded with modern radiology, life support systems, and solar power installations.
“Furthermore, medical outreach programs have provided free healthcare services to women in Ogoniland. In a bid to further strengthen healthcare delivery, HYPREP has advanced plans for a comprehensive health impact study, which will be implemented by the World Health Organization, WHO, in the second quarter of 2025.
“Access to clean water, a major challenge for many communities in Ogoniland, is also being addressed. Newly commissioned potable water schemes now serve multiple communities, with the Beeri water facility (900,000 liters) supplying seven communities and the Bunu facility (850,000 liters) serving three communities.”
Prof. Zabbey noted that ensuring clean water access is not only a basic human right but also a crucial intervention that alleviates the daily burdens faced by women in Ogoniland.
“In addition to economic empowerment, HYPREP is engaging women in environmental restoration projects, particularly through its shoreline clean-up and mangrove restoration program. Women trained in mangrove nursery and planting will earn income by supplying seedlings to nine contractors covering 3,000 hectares of land.
“This follows previous initiatives such as the training of 400 women in agribusiness and entrepreneurship at Songhai Farm, Tai LGA, which equipped participants with skills in sustainable farming and agribusiness. These interventions provide women with sustainable sources of income while also contributing to environmental conservation in Ogoniland.
As HYPREP continues to drive inclusion, Zabbey urged stakeholders to support gender equality efforts:
“For the women of Ogoniland and the Niger Delta, this year’s International Women’s Day symbolizes hope. A hope for a greener, healthier environment and an economy where women are no longer marginalized.”
He called for collective action, emphasizing the need to support one another and amplify women’s voices to advocate for real change.
“Let us strive for a future where gender equality is not just a dream, but a reality,” he added.
