The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP's) postgraduate scholarship programme for Ogoni students has kicked off with a sensitisation workshop in which 300 candidates will benefit in its first phase. The programme is for Ogoni students pursuing Master's and Doctorate Degrees in recognised institutions in Nigeria.
This is even as HYPREP has revealed that the scholarship programme is rooted in integrity, fairness and inclusivity.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Neinibarini Zabbey, who gave the indication while addressing participants of a sensitisation workshop to kickstart the scholarship scheme in Port Harcourt, said the scholarship scheme is rooted in integrity, fairness and inclusivity while the Project ensures that the candidates receive equal opportunity to participate and benefit accordingly.
He noted that HYPREP has put in place measures to enforce transparency in the process, as all information they require would be provided through the agency's communication channels, and expressed delight that community-based organisations and representatives of civil society are closely involved in adding another layer of accountability and guidance to the process.
He said the workshop is an essential step in ensuring that all interested Ogoni postgraduate students and candidates for the scheme understand the purpose, process and benefits of the scholarship programme, adding that the sensitisation is critical because it is geared towards equipping them with the knowledge needed to participate confidently and effectively.
According to him, HYPREP had set up the workshop to answer their questions, clarify the objectives of the programme and help them envision how their education can be transformed into impactful contributions to Ogoniland.
While encouraging them to embrace the opportunity and take full advantage of what the programme offers, Zabbey said in doing this, they help HYPREP in ensuring that the process remains transparent and fair, as it has pledged it to be, saying beyond educational exploits and individual achievements, they should consider the strength that comes from unity.
He said by forming clusters for innovation and peace, and coming together as one, they would amplify the potential for peace building and community development in Ogoniland.
According to him, "Together, we can complement HYPREP's ongoing efforts to restore the Ogoni environment and the socio-economic fabric of the people, especially in the rural areas. As Ogoni postgraduate students, you play a strategic role in the long-term success of HYPREP's initiatives. Your academic expertise, combined with a commitment to community upliftment will be a catalyst for positive change in Ogoniland."
He said HYPREP's mandate in Ogoniland and the under development of the area are not something that come only from HYPREP, as they are shared effort, one that requires their involvement, their voice and their passion, and urged the candidates to embrace the opportunity to take on their civic responsibilities with a renewed sense of purpose.
"As you are aware, the Ogoni people have long waited for the restoration of their land, which has suffered from years of oil contamination. However, while this project is mainly about restoring the environment and community livelihoods, it is also about rebuilding the spirit of Ogoniland," he said, adding that for progress to be sustainable, HYPREP needs unity and a collective commitment to peaceful coexistence among Ogoni communities.
The Project Coordinator said without peace, efforts such as being driven by the Project cannot thrive, as every effort made here today and every resources committed rely on the foundation of harmony and collaboration, as the Ogoni postgraduate students and the youths are not just beneficiaries but custodians of this peace.
"When you support HYPREP, you support the development of Ogoniland. To attack HYPREP is, in essence to attack the development and the future of Ogoniland. While we welcome constructive criticism and innovative ideas, we urge you to be mindful of the narratives you propagate, especially concerning misinformation and denial of facts.Take some time to check and verify the information before you accept it and further disseminate it, as spreading wrong information about HYPREP's mandate and work progress undermines our work and affects the wellbeing of the Ogoni community," he said.
Zabbey also urged the students to carefully read the UNEP Report and the HYPREP Gazette 2016, and analytically align the recommendations with the Project's interventions.
According to him, it is after doing so that you would infer that HYPREP is on course and taking innovative steps to broaden the benefits of the cleanup project.
While reiterating that HYPREP's promises are verifiable and rooted in accountability, he hinted that other livelihood programmes would be rolled out in the coming weeks.
As postgraduate students, and the next generation of Ogoni and national leaders, the Project Coordinator enjoined them to use their influence to foster unity, not division, and educate their peers, not to misinform them.
"Embrace your role as an advocate for HYPREP and the broader vision of a restored and economically vibrant Ogoniland.You must stand firm in your commitment to peace and act as a bridge for development.I reiterate HYPREP's commitment to the continuous engagement of all components of the Ogoni society, both at home and in the diaspora towards achieving the cleanup goals and objectives. I call on you to renew your dedication to the ongoing transformation in Ogoniland, powered by your voices and exemplary actions. Together, let us build a future that honours the resilience of our people and the beauty of our land, a future driven by peace, dialogue, collaboration and the unwavering pursuit of the common good," he pleaded.
A senior lecturer in the Department of Business Administration of the Rivers State University, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura, in a keynote address titled, 'Connecting The Dots', charged the students to always carry their shoulders high as Ogoni sons and daughters as well as use the opportunity provided them by the scholarship programme to contribute their quota to the development of Ogoniland and also connect the Ogoni communities to development.
The Managing Director of Pa-Ed Multilinks Consulting, Mr Edward Baa educated the candidates on how to secure the scholarship grants and what they must do to scale through the hurdle.
He said those for the Master's Degree category must be between the ages of 20 and 45 years while those for the Doctorate must fall within the ages of 22 and 55 years.
According to him, only 300 successful candidates would benefit from the scholarship scheme in the first phase, and urged them to pay attention to details in completing the application forms.
Baa equally disclosed that the candidates would also write CBT examination to qualify them for the programme.
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