The Nigerian Government, through the hydrocarbon pollution remediation project, has trained 100 Ogoni youths in seafaring in a bid to boost Nigeria’s blue economy sector.
The training is part of the ongoing Cleanup and Remediation of impacted sites in Ogoniland as recommended by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, emphasised the importance of the training, which he says is in line with the Blue Economy objectives of the Federal Government.
The training of one hundred Ogoni youths from Maritime Skills Initiative is geared towards equipping them with globally relevant skills aimed at opening doors to alternative sources of income.
It is also designed to discourage them from indulging in oil theft, artisanal refining, pollution and other practices that threaten the integrity and productivity of the environment
The HYPREP project coordinator Prof. Zabbey Nenibarini described the initiative as an important milestone to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoni land.
The training reflects the principles that environmental restoration must go hand in hand with economic inclusion. Stakeholders, therefore, want the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors and make Ogoniland proud
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
