In a surprising move, President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), effective immediately.
According to a statement released by the State House, the President’s decision follows a performance review of the HYPREP project, which found Professor Zabbey fit to continue discharging his duties in accordance with the project’s regulations.
The reinstatement comes amid intense pressure from Ogoni youth leaders, who had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the government to reinstate Professor Zabbey or face the shutdown of all project sites in Ogoniland. The ultimatum expired on Monday.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), announced the reinstatement in a statement released on Monday.
The President’s decision is seen as a move to appease the Ogoni community and ensure the smooth continuation of the HYPREP project. Earlier, Ogoni youth leaders had issued the ultimatum after the Presidency announced on Saturday a leadership change at HYPREP, replacing Professor Zabbey, an Ogoni native, with Dr. Olufemi Adekambi.
The youth leaders insisted that if the Presidency did not reinstate Professor Zabbey, whom they believe is performing well, they would shut down all project sites.
With the reinstatement, the Ogoni community’s demands have been met, potentially averting disruptions to the critical environmental remediation efforts in Ogoniland. This decision underscores the administration’s responsiveness to local concerns and its commitment to maintaining progress in the HYPREP project.
