The National Executive Council of Ogoni Youth Federation, together with Friends Of Ogoni Trust (FOOT) International, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister for Environment, Barr. Mohammed H. Abdulahi, on Friday 20th May, 2022 at the Federal Ministry of Environment Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
During the visit, the President-General of Ogoni Youth Federation, Comr. Legborsi Yamaabana, immensely thanked the Honourable Minister for his timely confidence-building working visit to Ogoniland, few days after his redeployment, his proactive pronouncement to provide constant electric power to all corners of Ogoniland, and the harmonious working relationship he has built with our Ogoni Brothers, Chief Mike Nwielaghi, HYPREP Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Ferdinand Giadom, HYPREP Project Coordinator, amongst others.
Yamaabana presented a list of issues to for the Minister’s attention and stated that, prior to the advent of his administration, Ogoni youth stakeholders were angry and vulnerable, as they were seen enemies of HYPREP, for speaking up, and were completely cut off from the HYPREP clean-up contract award processes and the expected economic impact in the local communities, because of trust issues as a result of a long legal battle between the youths and HYPREP on probity and best practices, but Hope has returned since the new Board was inaugurated and with his presence at the helm of affairs.
On the other hand, the Country Director of FOOT, Prince Kabari OP-Agara, Akeeyor VII, presented copies of the Ogoni Agenda Newsletter, on the need to create an Integrated Sustainable Development Master Plan for Ogoniland and the Bori Urban – Ogoniland Sustainable Development Draft Plan of 2020 to the Honourable Minister, for consideration and execution.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister promised to look into the issues presented before him with a professional and human face, and to speedily implement critical aspects of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Report on Ogoniland and adjoining livelihood issues, before the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023.
The Minister was presented with an art portrait of him in Niger Delta attire and other gifts as a token of appreciation by the group.
