PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).
According to a statement yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, will chair the new Governing Council.
Other members include Loanyie Barituka Victor, representing environmental NGOs; Bright Onyebuchi Jacob and Henry Obiabure, representing Niger Delta communities; Prof. Barinedum Nwibere and Baride Gwezia, representing the Ogoni community; and Gideon Onyebuwa and Dr. Ibikunle Omotehinse, representing the nine oil-producing states.
The President also appointed four alternate members: Dr. Abraham Olungwe and Maeba Ekpobari for Ogoniland, and Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei for the Niger Delta.
In the reconstituted HYPREP Board of Trustees, Emmanuel Deeyah retains his role as chairman, joined by Fred Igwe and Dr. Fred Kpakol for Ogoni communities and stakeholders, Mrs. Dorcas Amos for other Niger Delta communities, and Chief Jide Damazio, who was reappointed to represent environmental NGOs.
The decision follows Tinubu’s January closed-door meeting with key Rivers State stakeholders, including the now-suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former Governor Nyesom Wike, and Ogoni leaders, to address challenges surrounding the Niger Delta cleanup and political tensions in the state.
That meeting was attended by top government officials, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, former NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari, and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris.
International partners have also pledged support for the Ogoni cleanup. In March, the Belgian government reaffirmed its commitment to the project, while the United Nations promised technical assistance in mangrove restoration, climate change mitigation, food security, access to clean water, public health, and peacebuilding—efforts aligned with the UN’s broader environmental and human rights goals.