President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the Ogoni Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration in Rivers State.
The inauguration on the centre took place on Friday, and was attended by Ogoni Traditional Rulers, opinion leaders, youths, and women, but the President joined virtually.
Activities included the laying of the foundation for the Ogoni Power Project and a Specialist Hospital in Wiiyakara, Khana Local Government Area.
These projects are part of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing relief from years of environmental degradation in Ogoni land. They are also aimed at improving the socioeconomic well-being of the Ogoni people, who have been adversely affected by environmental pollution.
In his virtual address to the event, Buhari praised the Ogoni people for their support in the cleanup of oil-impacted communities that he initiated in 2016.
He emphasized that the launch of the three projects demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing environmental issues in Ogoni land in accordance with the United Nations Environment Report on the area.
The Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, launched the projects on behalf of the President, and Ogoni youths have pledged to provide the necessary assistance to ensure the successful completion of the three critical initiatives.