The President of the Greater Ogonis in Diaspora Organisation, Ambrose Kii, has congratulated Hon. Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah and other newly appointed members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project leadership, following their nomination and appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Kii described the president’s decision as “a bold and commendable step in the right direction” that has the potential to reinvigorate the long-delayed environmental remediation efforts in Ogoniland.
He said the appointments were not only strategic but also timely, as they come at a period when the people of Ogoni and the entire Niger Delta are eager to see accelerated progress in the implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme report on Ogoniland.
President Tinubu, on Monday, reconstituted both the HYREP Governing Council and the Board of Trustees. The board will now be chaired by Emmanuel Deeyah, who was reappointed to the position.
Other members of the Board of Trustees include Fred Igwe and Dr. Fred Kpakol, who will represent Ogoni communities and stakeholders; Mrs. Dorcas Amos, representing other Niger Delta communities; and Jide Damazio, who retains his seat as representative of environmental non-governmental organisations.
The newly reconstituted HYREP Governing Council will be chaired by the Minister of Environment and includes members such as Loanyie Barituka Victor, representing NGOs focused on environmental issues; Bright Onyebuchi Jacob and Henry Obiabure, representing Niger Delta communities; Professor Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Barrister Baride Abdul Gwezia, representing the Ogoni community; and Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor alongside Dr. Ibikunle Omotehinse, representing the nine oil-producing states.
Alternate members include Rev. Canon Dr. Abraham Olungwe and Engr. Maeba Power Ekpobari for Ogoniland, as well as Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei for the Niger Delta.
Chief Kii said he has absolute confidence in the “character, ability, and capacity” of Deeyah to lead the Board with integrity, vision, and commitment.
He said, “Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah is a man of proven dedication and a firm believer in the development of Ogoniland. His track record gives me confidence that under his leadership, HYREP will take decisive steps to fulfill its mandate.’’
He further urged Ogonis at home and abroad to rally around Deeyah and all the other appointees by offering them the moral and technical support needed to deliver tangible results. According to him, the Ogonicleanup is not just an environmental necessity but also a moral obligation to restore the dignity, health, and livelihood of the people who have suffered decades of pollution and neglect.
While expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for “listening to the yearnings and aspirations of the Ogoni people” and for recognising the need to have credible and community-rooted individuals in HYREP leadership, Kii called on the newly appointed officials to see their positions as a sacred responsibility. He emphasised that the eyes of the world, not just Ogoniland, are on HYREP, and the success of the cleanup will be a global example of environmental justice in action.
“The people of Ogoni have waited far too long for full justice. These appointments must translate into concrete action—the speedy and transparent implementation of the UNEP recommendations, the development of Ogoniland’s infrastructure, the restoration of our farmlands and water sources, and the creation of a sustainable economy for our future generations,” Kii stressed.
He noted that GODO, as an organisation of committed Ogonis in the diaspora, will continue to monitor developments closely, offer constructive feedback, and partner with stakeholders to ensure that the promise of the Ogonicleanup becomes a reality.
