
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — For the first time since its inception, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, on Thursday awarded postgraduate scholarships to 300 Ogoni students, a move that has been hailed by beneficiaries as life-changing.
At the maiden award ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the scholars expressed gratitude for the financial relief and research support, describing the initiative as a long-overdue recognition of Ogoni’s academic community.
The N200 million scholarship fund was distributed among 100 PhD students (N1 million each) and 200 Master’s students (N500,000 each).
Miss Eunice Agbora, a Master’s student in Computer Science at Ignatius Ajuru University, was among those selected after a rigorous application and screening process. She emphasized that the scheme is not a hoax, as some had speculated.
“I did the online application, I was shortlisted for a CBT, and today, I am here as a beneficiary of the HYPREP postgraduate scholarship. HYPREP is not a scam—I am proof of that,” she declared.
For many recipients, the scholarship is not just financial aid but an opportunity to advance research that could benefit Ogoniland and beyond.
Mr. Konee Nuledum, a PhD student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, is among those channeling the scholarship into groundbreaking research. His work focuses on transforming textile fibers from banana waste into reusable materials, an innovation that aligns with environmental sustainability efforts in the region.
“This award will significantly ease the financial burden on postgraduate students. I am going to channel this fund into my research, which explores waste-to-wealth conversion. With this support, I can take my work to the next level,” he said.
For the beneficiaries, this scholarship represents a shift in HYPREP’s engagement with the Ogoni people. The Ogoni Postgraduate Forum, led by Bariatonlo Ken Nnaane, acknowledged the program as an unprecedented milestone.
“This is the first time postgraduate students are being remembered in HYPREP’s intervention programs. We commend the fairness and transparency of the selection process and urge that this scheme be made an annual event,” Nnaane said.
The forum further appealed for more beneficiaries in future editions, removal of age restrictions, and the introduction of employment opportunities for postgraduate scholars.
Addressing the recipients, HYPREP’s Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, reaffirmed the peoject’s commitment to education as a tool for development, peacebuilding, and environmental restoration in Ogoniland.
“HYPREP, through the selection process, has once again demonstrated its commitment to fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in implementing livelihood interventions in Ogoniland. The integrity of the selection process for this scholarship has been a priority, and I can confidently say that the recipients here today have earned this recognition through merit,” Zabbey stated.
He emphasized the transformative role of education in Ogoni’s development, saying, “At HYPREP, we believe that education is not only the bedrock of personal growth but a transformative tool that can unlock new opportunities and create sustainable alternative sources of livelihood for oil-impacted communities in Ogoniland.”
He further challenged the scholars to use their expertise beyond academics, urging them to actively contribute to the cleanup and sustainable development of their communities.
“As researchers and future leaders, you are not just beneficiaries but contributors to Ogoni’s transformation. Your work must go beyond academia to impact the environment and community. You have the unique opportunity to contribute to HYPREP’s ongoing environmental remediation and livelihood restoration in Ogoni. Please contribute your technical expertise to promoting peace and development at the community level and communicate the cleanup mandate,” he charged.
Prof. Zabbey also underscored the critical link between peace and progress, stressing the need for unity among Ogoni scholars and communities.
“Discussing development without acknowledging the fundamental link between peace, progress, and prosperity is impossible. The growth of Ogoniland depends on an environment where peace reigns. As a people, we cannot afford continuous division or discord; instead, we must focus on unity and collaboration,” he noted.
The HYPREP boss further urged the scholarship recipients to form clusters for peacebuilding initiatives, describing them as platforms for dialogue, reconciliation, innovation, and solutions to Ogoni’s challenges.
“Your role as a postgraduate student is beyond academia. You are peacebuilders who must promote unity, collaboration, and peaceful coexistence within Ogoni communities and beyond. Your work and influence will serve as bridges to further connect Ogoniland, fostering continuous dialogue, mutual understanding, and collective action in the public interest,” he said.