Ogoni Youths Graduate from Seafaring Training Under Environmental Cleanup Initiative

One hundred youths from Ogoniland in Rivers State have graduated from a seafaring skills training program organized by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project.

The initiative is part of efforts to provide alternative livelihoods and support Nigeria’s Blue Economy agenda, while advancing the environmental restoration of oil-impacted communities in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, described the event as a milestone in the project’s goal to restore livelihoods and promote sustainable development in Ogoniland.

“Today is a celebration of hard work, dedication, and a new chapter in the lives of these young individuals,” Zabbey said. He emphasized that the training aligns with the federal government’s Blue Economy objectives and helps deter environmentally harmful practices such as artisanal refining and oil theft.

Zabbey urged the graduates to leverage their new skills for self-reliance and to become ambassadors of professionalism and peace in their communities.

The training was implemented in partnership with the Charkins Maritime Academy and is rooted in the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Program report on Ogoniland, which links environmental cleanup with sustainable livelihood opportunities.

A representative from Renaissance Africa Energy, the project lead, reminded the graduates that they carry the hopes of their families and communities. “Let discipline guide your actions, and let safety remain your companion,” he advised.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Chuzor, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that many Ogoni people had not previously been engaged in the maritime sector.

The seafaring program is part of HYPREP’s broader remediation efforts in Ogoniland, which also include the ongoing construction of a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, now reported to be 93% complete.