HYPREP awards ₦1m each to 200 Ogoniland PhD students, ₦500,000 to 300 master's scholars
- HYPREP has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 500 Ogoni graduates, 300 master's and 200 PhD students.
- Master's students received ₦500,000 each and PhD students ₦1m each at the third award ceremony in Port Harcourt.
- More than 2,000 people applied; 1,500 sat the first test and 500 passed final screening.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 500 Ogoni graduates, with 300 master's students receiving ₦500,000 each and 200 PhD students getting ₦1m each.
The awards were made at the third scholarship ceremony, held in Port Harcourt and reported on Friday. HYPREP Project Coordinator Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey said the scheme is meant to build human capacity and support research across different fields.
According to a consultant who handled the screening, more than 2,000 people applied. About 1,500 sat the first selection test, and 500 came through the final screening.
Why it matters
The scholarship is part of HYPREP's work to carry out recommendations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, including promoting alternative livelihoods. For the beneficiaries, the money is expected to cover tuition, research and publication costs.
Zabbey told the scholars the money is not for celebration but a call to service. He urged them to produce quality research that addresses the environmental problems facing their communities.
"Education gives you knowledge, but it also places a responsibility on you to use that knowledge to improve society," he said.
He said HYPREP would keep implementing remediation and livelihood projects in line with the UNEP report, but added that the agency cannot meet its goals without researchers and other stakeholders in Ogoni.
Prof. Barinedum Nwibere, a member of the HYPREP Governing Council, asked Ogoni people to avoid what he called baseless and unconfirmed criticism of the agency, and instead ask questions that clear up confusion about its work.
Some beneficiaries thanked HYPREP for what they described as a transparent screening process and asked it to keep the standard. One of them, Mrs Uloma Celestine-Gbara, a mathematics education postgraduate student at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education from Boa community in Gokana Local Government Area, said the grant would help with tuition, research and publishing her articles.
Zabbey listed HYPREP's partners to include government institutions, Rivers State government agencies, local government councils, Ogoni communities, traditional institutions, Renaissance Africa Energy Limited and civil society organisations.
What happens next
The scholars are expected to use the funds for their studies and research. HYPREP said it will continue its remediation and livelihood programmes under the UNEP report.
