President Tinubu Reinstates HYREP Coordinator Following Ogoni Youth Protests
By Dennis Naku
President Bola Tinubu reinstated Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP) on Monday. This decision came in response to significant protests by Ogoni youths and various groups in Rivers State.
Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, announced Zabbey’s reinstatement. The statement, titled “President Tinubu Reinstates Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as HYREP Coordinator,” highlighted the swift decision following the protests.
Just two days earlier, President Tinubu had appointed Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner in Ondo State, as the new HYREP Project Coordinator. However, after a performance review of the project and its leadership, the President determined that Professor Zabbey was well-suited to continue in his role.
Professor Zabbey had initially been appointed as HYREP Coordinator in May 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, taking over from Dr. Giadom Dumbari.
The protests on Monday saw over 200 Ogoni youths occupying the HYREP office on Ken Saro-Wiwa Road in Port Harcourt, demanding Zabbey’s reinstatement. They vowed to remain until their demands were met, emphasizing that the position should be held by an Ogoni indigene.
Savior Oscar, the Publicity Secretary of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and a protest leader, expressed the community’s frustration. He stated, “We are here to tell Mr. President and the world that the Ogoni have been marginalized and neglected for too long. The HYREP office exists because of the Ogoni struggle, and the funding is derived from our resources. We insist that the Project Coordinator must be an Ogoni son.”
Barinuazor Emmanuel, National President of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People, confirmed that the protests would continue until their demands were fully addressed. He thanked President Tinubu for reinstating Zabbey but warned that the project is vital to the Ogoni people, who have suffered significant losses.
Barigie Goodluck, Chairman of HYREP Host Communities, urged the Federal Government to ensure the effective functioning of the remediation process and to respect the community’s choice of leadership. He criticized the initial replacement of Professor Zabbey and stressed the need for continuity and expertise in managing the project.
The Ogoni community’s strong response underscores the importance of local leadership in the remediation efforts, which are crucial for addressing the long-standing environmental damage in the region.
