Zabbey is reinstated as the HYPREP Coordinator by President Tinubu

Professor Nenibarini Zabbey has been given permission to resume her role as the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project’s (HYPREP) project coordinator by President Bola Tinubu.

According to a statement released on Monday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to the President (Media & Publicity), the president made the decision after reviewing the HYPREP Project Coordinator’s performance and determining that he is qualified to carry out his duties in accordance with the rules governing the project’s implementation.

“The HYPREP Project Coordinator’s reinstatement takes immediate effect per the president’s directive,” it stated.

This comes after the Federal Government was given a 24-hour notice to reinstall Zabbey by the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) and a few youth leaders in Ogoni, Rivers State.

Based on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Report, MOSOP claimed in a statement that Prof. Zabbey, a nonpartisan Ogoni, is extremely qualified and committed to the position, which is focused on the environmental remediation of Ogoni territory.

The group requested the immediate reinstatement of Prof. Zabbey to finish his tenure, guarantee that HYPREP is not used to settle political scores, and permit appointed HYPREP Coordinators to serve their full terms for stability and growth in Ogoni in a statement signed by MOSOP President, Prof. Olu Wai-Oguso.

If a non-Ogoni is named as the HYPREP Coordinator, MOSOP threatened to lockdown the HYPREP office in Port-Harcourt and prevent the new appointee from accessing Ogoni.

“MOSOP insists that HYPREP serve the Ogoni people and not political interests,” the statement read.

The announcement of HYPREP’s new leadership has not stopped people from reacting.

A press statement endorsed by Ngelale was released on Saturday, July 13, announcing the appointment of Dr. Olufemi Adekambi as the new HYPREP coordinator.

It expressed displeasure through representatives of the Association of Ogoni Martyrs, Ogoni Youths Federation, Ogoni Students Association Worldwide, and the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), among other organizations. They contend that Ogoni, who started the project on their own initiative and without federal support, have suitable people to oversee it.

The student leaders argued that they would be forced to close down all project locations if Prof. Zabbey, who they felt was doing a good job, was not reinstated by the presidency.

President of NYCOP Brinuazor Emmanuel and National President of Ogoni Students Worldwide Daniel Karakpon reaffirm their resolve to oppose the return of Dr. Olufemi Adekambi, the recently hired HYPREP Project Coordinator, who was appointed on July 13 and will begin work on Monday.