The Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) Centre for Sustainable Development located in Ugbomro, Uvwie local government area of Delta State, recently awarded a fellow title to Comrade Sunny Ofehe, an environmental rights activist based in the Netherlands. Ofehe is a distinguished individual who is passionate about environmental causes, and he was recognized as a fellow of the Centre after the pioneer recipient, Dr Newton Jibunoh, an environmentalist and historian popularly known as the ‘Desert Warrior.’

The event, which took place at the ICT centre of the institution, was attended by stakeholders in the environmental sector. It featured a lecture titled, “Climate Change & Flooding: The Niger Delta Experience, Causes, Defence & Response,” delivered by Ofehe, who was also the special guest speaker. During the event, Ofehe urged the federal and state governments to adopt the Netherlands’ flood risk management model to tackle perennial flooding facing the nation.

The planting of a tree by the recipient symbolized his commitment to a greener environment, which is one of the primary goals of the Centre for Sustainable Development at FUPRE. The lecture was well-packaged and provided stakeholders with an opportunity to proffer solutions to the perennial issues of flooding confronting the Niger Delta region.

Ofehe, an environmentalist of international repute, has taken up the challenges of the Niger Delta before the United Nations General Assembly in Geneva and addressed the European Parliament in Brussels. He is currently standing for election as the governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Congress (YPP) in Delta state for the forthcoming general elections.

In his acceptance speech, Ofehe thanked the institution for the recognition, stating that he sees the fellowship award not as an accolade but something that would spur him to do more for humanity. He also promised to collaborate with the institution to help facilitate their quest for exchange programmes with foreign universities and develop a research blueprint on how flooding can be tackled in the Niger Delta region.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, represented by Prof. Doris Ogeleka, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, performed the investiture. He said that the institution would be pleased to collaborate with Ofehe in realizing the full potentials of the Centre for Sustainable Development.

The event witnessed the attendance of other notable figures in the environmental sector, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Engr. G. Ofualagba, Prof. Christopher Onosemuode, Dean of Postgraduate School, Civil Society Director, CSD, Deacon Okezi Odugala, Dr. (Mrs) Juliet Emudianughe, an Associate Professor and Director, Strategic Plan and Development, FUPRE, Henry Erikowa of Coastal and Marine Area Development Initiative (CMADI), Amb. Godson Uwadiale, Ambassador of UN SDGS Network, and National President of nongovernmental organization, Better Standard Living Development Initiative (BSLDI), Mr. Samson Ogowewo.

The highpoint of the event was when Ofehe, joined by his deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Eloho Chalele-Dafe (Esq), was invested as a fellow and later planted a tree christened “Fix-Delta” in line with his campaign mantra, signifying his commitment to a greener environment.