Nigeria to Train 10,000 Ogoni Youths on Alternative Livelihoods
As a way of stopping the re-pollution of Ogoniland through artisanal oil refining activities, the Federal Government has announced that it has increased the number of Ogoni youths who would be trained in various livelihoods programmes from 5,000 to 10,000.
The Minister of Environment, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi disclosed this on Thursday during the Anti-bunkering Re-pollution Sensitization Seminar and Award of Certificates to Community Workers in Basic Remediation Techniques held in Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Abdullahi represented by the Director, Technical Services, HYPREP, Prof Philips Shekwolo, explained that Project’s Community Representative Advisory Council, was set up to campaign against oil spills, oil theft and artisanal refining activities in Ogoniland, to ensure that Ogoniland remains clean after the clean-up.
He reiterated that all hands must be on deck to ensure that Ogoniland is not re-polluted, according to him, it was not enough to clean up Ogoni, but to ensure that “Ogoniland remains cleaned, not just for ourselves but for our generations yet unborn.”
“The livelihoods program is for all Ogoni youths, including those who are engaged in illegal oil bunkering activities.
“The Minister has increased the number of those to benefit from this training program from 5,000 to 10,000 and there will be additional training programs in seafaring, aviation, oil and gas; so that Ogoni youths can be employed in the oil and gas, maritime and aviation sector.”
The Minister also awarded certificates to over 1,000 Ogoni community workers who have been trained in basic remediation techniques health safety and environment, assuring that more Ogoni youths would be trained in shoreline remediation.
“Those who have been trained in the first and second phases of HYPREP clean-up are being issued certificates so they can work in any soil remediation project anywhere in the world.”
Also, a keynote speaker at the event and university don, Prof Ben Naanen, cautioned the youths of Ogoni against re-polluting the area through illegal oil bunkering activities.
According to the professor of history, two entities are responsible for oil theft in the Niger Delta, namely oil multinationals and artisanal refiners.
“We must stop illegal refining activities because it destroys our environment. People said hunger and joblessness is what is pushing youths into illegal oil bunkering and that is why HYPREP will train 10,000 youths in alternative sources of livelihoods.
“The training is so that our youths will no longer engage in oil theft that will lead to re pollution of Ogoniland.”
Another keynote speaker and stakeholder, Engr Andai Wai-Ogosu, urged the people of Ogoni to work with HYPREP towards having a legal framework to back the establishment of HYPREP.
