HYPREP: Ogoni People Voice Out; ‘Reinstate Dr. Mike Nwielaghi!’ — Fear Looms Over Ogoni Clean-Up After Leadership Shake-Up

HYPREP: Ogoni People Voice Out; ‘Reinstate Dr. Mike Nwielaghi!’ — Fear Looms Over Ogoni Clean-Up After Leadership Shake-Up

HYPREP: Ogoni Leaders Appeal to President Tinubu for the Reinstatement of Dr. Mike Nwielaghi as Board Chairman

Dez Mayorz News

Ogoni leaders in Rivers State have written a series of appeal letters and petitions to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key stakeholders, urging the reinstatement of Dr. Mike Nwielaghi as Chairman of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) Board of Trustees.

According to documents obtained by Dez Mayorz News, the Ogoni people credit Dr. Nwielaghi’s leadership with unprecedented progress in environmental remediation, community development, and youth empowerment under HYPREP. They describe his tenure as a period of transparency, community trust, and significant implementation of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) recommendations for Ogoniland.

This appeal follows the recent appointment of KAGOTE President, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah, as the new Chairman of HYPREP’s Board of Trustees, replacing Dr. Nwielaghi.

Speaking on the matter, Hon. Koi Festus Barikura (popularly known as “De Oracle”) cautioned against “political distractions” in HYPREP’s operations at this crucial stage of the Ogoni clean-up. He called on all Ogoni sons and daughters, both at home and abroad, to resist “political manipulation” in what he described as “the apex hope of the Ogoni kingdom.”

In another petition signed by Deele Ledum (aka “The Pen-Pusher”), the president was urged to reconsider the leadership change, warning that the decision could “disrupt environmental remediation and livelihood restoration initiatives in Ogoniland.” Ledum emphasized that Dr. Nwielaghi’s tenure brought:

Enhanced transparency and accountability in HYPREP’s operations.
Stronger community engagement and trust between the Ogoni people and the Federal Government.
Tangible progress in implementing UNEP recommendations.

“The abrupt change in leadership poses a considerable risk to the painstakingly built progress, imperiling the hard-earned trust and potentially stalling key projects currently underway,” the letter stated.

Key Achievements Under Dr. Mike Nwielaghi’s Leadership:

Environmental Remediation.
50 simple risk sites remediated and certified by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).

Shoreline cleanup 56% complete; mangrove restoration 93% complete.
Medium-risk complex site remediation 38% complete.

Infrastructure Development.
Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) 90% complete.

Ogoni Specialist Hospital 86% complete; Buan Cottage Hospital 98% complete.

Ogoni Power Project progressing steadily.

Livelihood Restoration.
Over 7,000 direct jobs created.
More than 5,000 Ogoni youths and women trained in 20 skill areas.
Starter packs distributed to beneficiaries.

Water Provision.
Potable water facilities constructed and commissioned in several communities.

14 additional water schemes planned to serve over 68 Ogoni communities.

Community Engagement.
Ongoing sensitization and dialogue with Ogoni communities to ensure participation in the clean-up process.

Ogoni leaders insist that continuity in leadership is critical at this stage of the clean-up process. They are therefore appealing to President Tinubu to reinstate Dr. Nwielaghi as HYPREP Board Chairman, arguing that his reinstatement would safeguard the progress already achieved and sustain the trust built between the community and the Federal Government.

Dez Mayorz Report.