It was gathered by Hobnob News reports that the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu has reversed the appointment of Olufemi Adekanmbi as the Project Coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), reinstating the former coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey.
The initial appointment of Adekanmbi, announced on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, faced immediate backlash. Various groups criticized the decision, arguing that Adekanmbi, a former Commissioner for Special Duties, Culture, and Tourism in Ondo State and a member of the Nigerian Environmental Society (NES), is not an Ogoni man—a critical consideration given the project’s focus on Ogoniland.In response to the criticism, the Presidency issued a statement on Monday confirming the reinstatement of Prof. Zabbey. The statement read:
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP).
President Tinubu reached this decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that Professor Zabbey is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.
Prof. Zabbey’s reinstatement is seen as a move to ensure that the project remains aligned with the interests and needs of the Ogoni people, who have long been affected by hydrocarbon pollution.
Apparently, this decision underscores the importance of community representation and expertise in managing environmental remediation efforts.
While the HYPREP project continues, the focus will be on addressing the extensive environmental damage in Ogoniland, with Prof. Zabbey leading the efforts to restore and rehabilitate the region as desired by Tinubu.
HOBNOB NEWS
