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Tag: Otuaro

  • Otuaro to PAP scholarship students: make Tinubu proud

    Otuaro to PAP scholarship students: make Tinubu proud

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has called on beneficiaries of the programme’s foreign postgraduate students to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the country proud.

    Otuaro spoke at the pre-departure briefing for another batch of 12 foreign postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries deployed to universities in the United Kingdom, which held at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday.

    A statement signed by Otuaro’s Special Assistant, Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the orientation featured talks on “Social and Cultural Relations in the UK”, “Academic Expectations”, “The Administration of the Scholarship”, and the presentation of laptop to each of the scholarship beneficiaries to enhance their research and thesis work.

    He stressed that they beneficiaries were  a legacy of the PAP’s academic sponsorships that will manifest in the years ahead.

    He said President Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser were happy over the huge number of beneficiaries so far sent overseas by the PAP, as some people had thought that the programme’s foreign scholarship component would no longer be carried out.

    According to him, President Tinubu and the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, are genuinely interested in the region’s human capital development and socio-economic growth and they are massively supporting the programme’s initiatives.

    Otuaro said, “Today, we are sending you outside the country for post-graduate programmes in the United Kingdom and we believe that we are sending out our best. There should be no room for laxity, put in your best and make the best for yourselves. We are careful in the selection process because we don’t want anybody to abuse the system under my watch.

    “We give credit to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Some people had thought that foreign scholarships deployments would no longer be possible, but the President likes what we have been doing since we started giving out foreign scholarships to beneficiaries.

    “Also, the Office of the National Security Adviser that supervises this Programme and the NSA himself, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu appreciate it. That is the feedback we are getting. They are working tirelessly to promote the socio-economic and political advancement of the Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria.

    “So I don’t want you to disappoint the President over what he is so happy about. Don’t disappoint the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta because stakeholders also believe that what we are doing – awarding scholarships to qualified beneficiaries – is the best because the legacy will manifest in some years to come.

    “When you conclude your programmes and return home, you will also contribute your quota to the development of the region and the country. So, I want you to do well in your studies. We deliberately selected the programmes of study; they are industry-tailored. I am confident that all of you will do well.

    “We will continue to work hard to ensure that we build critical manpower for the Niger Delta and the nation. When you do well, others will be encouraged, the President and the NSA will also be encouraged. You are ambassadors of the President. Everyone in the Niger Delta knows that the President and the NSA are strongly supporting this Programme.

    “For those of you who are going for MSc, if you do well and qualify for PhD, there is nothing stopping us from supporting your academic progress. Work hard and be diligent.”

    The PAP boss reassured Niger Delta stakeholders of his leadership’s unshakable commitment to doing what is right at all times in the interest of the region and indeed the country.

    Some of the foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries, including Arafiena Shekinah Nkem (MSc Project Management, University of Liverpool) and Omokaro Rick Efosa (MSc Supply Chain & Logistics Management, Coventry University), expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the NSA, and Otuaro for the opportunity and pledged to study hard.

  • PAP Administrator Otuaro attends Oporoza community New Year celebration

    PAP Administrator Otuaro attends Oporoza community New Year celebration

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, has told Nigerians to prepare for a year of economic progress and stability. 

    Otuaro spoke after attending the New Year celebration of the Oporoza community on Friday. 

    The Oporoza community, the traditional headquarter of Gbaramatu kingdom, holds its New Year celebration annually. 

    Speaking after this year’s edition, Dennis said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is moving Nigeria in the right direction. 

    Read Also: Okowa, Otuaro meet, pray for Delta’s peace, unity and sustained devt

    He added that this year, many Nigerians will reap the benefits of the administration economic and political policies. 

    “2026 will be a great year for our country across board. From economy to peace, we will record tremendous progress thanks to the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he noted.

  • Okowa, Otuaro meet, pray for Delta’s peace, unity and sustained devt

    Okowa, Otuaro meet, pray for Delta’s peace, unity and sustained devt

    In a political climate often defined by shifting loyalties and post-office rivalries, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley B. Otuaro, has once again sent a powerful message of loyalty and political maturity with a Christmas and New Year courtesy visit to the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

    Far beyond a seasonal gesture, the visit has been widely interpreted by political observers as a reaffirmation of enduring alliance, respect for leadership, and continuity within Delta State’s political family. 

    At a time when former officeholders frequently distance themselves from past administrations, Otuaro’s action stood out as a deliberate statement of gratitude, humility, and unwavering political identity.

    The visit, now a consistent tradition since both men left office, reflected a relationship that has remained intact well beyond the corridors of power. 

    Otuaro served as deputy governor under Okowa from 2015 to 2023, a defining era in Delta State politics marked by major infrastructural expansion, policy reforms, and strategic political stability.

    Their partnership was widely regarded as one of the most cohesive executive teams in the state’s recent history.

    Sources close to the meeting asserted that discussions went beyond pleasantries, touching on governance, leadership succession, and the future trajectory of Delta State.

    Both leaders reportedly reflected on the challenges of leadership, lessons learnt in office, and the need for unity and responsible politics in the post-Okowa era.

    Read Also: Strong, functional opposition remains vital to survival of Nigeria’s democracy —Delta PDP

    A wonderful moment of the visit was a joint prayer session, during which both men committed their families and the future of Delta State into God’s hands. 

    They prayed for peace, unity, and sustained development—an act that underscored the moral and spiritual foundation of their long-standing political relationship.

    Political analysts viewed the visit as symbolic, reinforcing Okowa’s continued relevance as a political leader and mentor, while positioning Otuaro as a figure of discipline, loyalty, and statesmanship—qualities increasingly rare in contemporary politics. 

    The meeting has also sparked conversations about the role both men may yet play in shaping Delta State’s political direction in the years ahead.

    Ultimately, the visit served as a quiet but potent reminder that true leadership transcends office, and that respect for mentorship and shared legacy remains a powerful currency in Delta State politics.

  • IYC faults Reps’ 72-hour ultimatum to PAP coordinator Otuaro

    IYC faults Reps’ 72-hour ultimatum to PAP coordinator Otuaro

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has criticised the recent decision of the House of Representatives to issue a 72-hour ultimatum to the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, warning that such an approach could undermine peace efforts in the Niger Delta.

    The ultimatum, which threatens an arrest warrant should Otuaro fail to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, has drawn strong concern from the Council.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday by its national spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, the IYC said that while it recognises the role of legislative oversight, the timing and tone of the directive amount to an unnecessary distraction capable of derailing ongoing peace-building and development initiatives in the region.

    Princewill noted that since assuming office as PAP Administrator, Dr. Otuaro has demonstrated strong commitment through consistent stakeholder engagement, prompt payment of stipends to beneficiaries, and expanded opportunities in scholarship and vocational training.

    He emphasised that the PAP is crucial for maintaining peace in the Niger Delta, and to threaten Otuaro with arrest for addressing procedural inquiries undermines the progress made.

    Furthermore, Princewill urged the House of Representatives to reconsider its priorities in the llight of widespread security issues, inflation, and economic hardship facing the nation.

    He said the Council believed that parliamentary efforts should be focused on addressing these pressing challenges rather than targeting a single public official. 

    He advocated for a redirect of resources to enhance security measures and provide economic relief to the populace, aligning with the responsibilities of elected representatives.

    The spokesman said, “Our people are dying from banditry, kidnapping and economic distress. The National Assembly’s attention would be better served by working with the President of Nigeria in addressing these pressing issues instead of issuing arrest warrants that could be perceived as politically motivated.

    “The Council also highlighted that the alleged financial discrepancies cited in the Auditor‑General’s report are being examined through the appropriate channels and that the PAP Administrator has already pledged full cooperation with the audit process as government is a continuous process. 

    “Any attempt to criminalise the programme’s leadership without due process risks eroding public trust and could reignite tensions in the region.”

    The IYC spokesman, therefore, called on the House of Representatives to rescind the 72‑hour ultimatum and withdraw the threat of an arrest warrant against Dr. Dennis Otuaro, engage constructively with the PAP leadership to resolve audit queries in a transparent and lawful manner.

    He equally urged them to prioritise legislative action that addresses the nation’s security challenges and economic hardships.

    “The IYC remains committed to advocating for the rights and development of the Ijaw people and the entire Niger Delta. We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that peace, justice and prosperity prevail across Nigeria,” Amb. Princewill stated.

  • Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    Otuaro applauds Tinubu as nine PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries graduate in UK varsities

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s love for the Niger Delta following the graduation of nine foreign postgraduate scholarship students of PAP from their various universities in the United Kingdom.

     A statement signed on Thursday by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the nine students successfully graduated from their master’s degree programs.

    The successful scholars were described as the first graduates in the offshore postgraduate scholarship deployment to UK institutions by Otuaro for the 2024-2025 academic session.

    They graduated from the Anglia Ruskin University, the University of Dundee, and the University of Law with master’s degrees in cyber security, data science and engineering, law, construction and civil engineering management, project management, and ICT.

    The statement said 711 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries were expected to graduate from universities within Nigeria this year.

    Otuaro, during a graduation reception for the scholars in London, congratulated them, saying they completed their programmes in record time to demonstrate their seriousness.

    He said they justified the Federal Government’s investment in their education with their successful graduation, and urged other beneficiaries not to be distracted in their academic pursuits.

    He said, “We congratulate these scholars on their successful graduation. It shows that they took their studies seriously. That is what we demand of every scholarship beneficiary, whether at the undergraduate or postgraduate level”.

    Otuaro reiterated his unwavering commitment to expanding the scholarship scheme to create more opportunities for indigent students of the Niger Delta extraction to access higher education with a view to closing the human capital development gap in the region.

    Otuaro said it was for this reason that he deployed 3800 beneficiaries in-country in the 2024-2025 academic year, and increased the figure to 3900 in the 2025-2026 academic session, with 200 for foreign scholarships.

    Read Also: Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    Otuaro has so far deployed 7700 students for the PAP scholarship scheme within Nigeria in less than two years.

    Within the period, he also deployed 162 students from the region for postgraduate programmes in targeted disciplines in UK universities.

    Otuaro said, “This is in conformity with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu for the Niger Delta, who has given unprecedented support to the PAP because of his sincere love for the area.

    “Our decision aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for the Niger Delta. We will continue to create more higher educational opportunities for students from indigent backgrounds in our region.

    “We are also deepening the implementation of the programme’s mandate in informal education and other areas for the sustainable peace and socio-economic advancement of the region.”

  • Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has thrown its weight behind the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, passing a vote of confidence on his leadership and reforms that have repositioned the programme for greater impact in the Niger Delta.

    In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Comrade Nicholas Igarama; Secretary, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, Esq; and Information Officer, Comrade Tare Magbei, the IYC praised Dr. Otuaro for bringing “renewed focus, professionalism and accountability” to the Amnesty Programme since taking office in March 2024.

    Read Also: EFCC returns N42.5m to 70-year-old widow defrauded by banker

    The group said Dr. Otuaro’s leadership has been marked by clear milestones in institutional reform, education, vocational empowerment, stakeholder engagement and integrity-driven governance, all geared toward sustainable peace and human capital development in the region.

    Highlighting his achievements, the IYC noted that under Dr. Otuaro, the Amnesty Programme had undergone comprehensive data verification and system upgrades to eliminate duplication, strengthen transparency and safeguard beneficiary records.

  • Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    Otuaro gets plaudits on PAP reforms

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has thrown its weight behind the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, passing a vote of confidence on his leadership and reforms that have repositioned the programme for greater impact in the Niger Delta.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Comrade Nicholas Igarama; Secretary, Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, Esq; and Information Officer, Comrade Tare Magbei, the IYC praised Dr. Otuaro for bringing “renewed focus, professionalism and accountability” to the Amnesty Programme since taking office in March 2024.

    The group said Otuaro’s leadership has been marked by clear milestones in institutional reform, education, vocational empowerment, stakeholder engagement and integrity-driven governance, all geared toward sustainable peace and human capital development in the region.

    Highlighting his achievements, the IYC noted that under Dr. Otuaro, the Amnesty Programme had undergone comprehensive data verification and system upgrades to eliminate duplication, strengthen transparency and safeguard beneficiary records.

    It also lauded the expansion of the PAP scholarship scheme to cover more onshore and offshore institutions, ensuring higher academic standards and broader access for deserving beneficiaries across the Niger Delta.

    According to the Council, Dr. Otuaro’s focus on skills acquisition has introduced advanced technical and vocational training in key sectors such as maritime, aviation and entrepreneurship — creating opportunities for youths to become self-reliant and employable.

    The IYC Western Zone further applauded Otuaro’s consistent engagement with traditional rulers, ex-agitators, youth leaders and community representatives, which it said has deepened peace and unity across the oil-rich region.

    “We commend Dr. Otuaro for his calm disposition, his unwavering dedication to Ijaw aspirations, and his sustained efforts in building a stronger and more inclusive Niger Delta.

    “His focus on human capital development, peace-building, and regional progress aligns with the collective vision of our people,” the group stated.

    The IYC Western Zone further condemned “sponsored attacks and false narratives” against Dr. Otuaro, describing such moves as “distractions rooted in envy and resistance to reform.”

    Reaffirming its confidence in his leadership, the Council urged Dr. Otuaro to remain steadfast and forward-looking in the discharge of his duties.

    “Keep working. Keep building. Keep leading. The Ijaw Nation stands solidly behind you,” the statement concluded.

  • Ex-Niger agitator lauds Otuaro for enhancing youth educational opportunities

    Ex-Niger agitator lauds Otuaro for enhancing youth educational opportunities

    A frontline former agitator in the Niger Delta, ‘General’ Emma Satu, has praised  the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro

    for his commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for youths in the region. 

    Speaking yesterday, Satu highlighted Dr. Otuaro’s initiatives, particularly the scholarship programmes, as vital in supporting the Federal Government’s development agenda for the Niger Delta.

    Satu commended the significant achievements of the PAP under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approximately two years ago. 

    He noted the success of sixty (60) students who earned First Class degrees from 2016 to 2023 and emphasized the deployment of over 140 postgraduate students to the UK earlier this September, with an additional 161 students scheduled for similar opportunities. He said these initiatives are seen as vital for enhancing human capital in the region.

    The ex-freedom fighter emphasised the strategic nature of Otuaro’s efforts, highlighting the focus on disciplines deemed essential for the region’s growth, such as electrical/electronics engineering, computer science, civil engineering, accounting, law, petroleum engineering, physics, and biochemistry. 

    Satu also pointed out the expansion of the Amnesty programme to include training in aviation and marine engineering, along with ongoing leadership training for beneficiaries across multiple phases.

    Read Also: Otuaro urges Niger Delta to back Tinubu for second term 

    Satu expressed optimism about the positive impact of educational initiatives on the future of Niger Delta youths, reinforcing the potential for human capital development within the region.

    The youth leader of Ijaw extraction said the PAP with the support of President Tinubu, had achieved significant progress in education, which he explained was line with the eight-point Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

    He said: “The focus on education as a tool to better the lot of our youths has been successful. Dr Otuaro and his team at the Amnesty Office have succeeded in securing overseas postgraduate scholarships, enrolled thousands of students in onshore and offshore programmes, and have supported local institutions, all in a bid to channel the focus of our youths from armed agitation and festiveness.

    “We need to commend Dr Dennis Otuaro for his visionary and pragmatic leadership. His focus on education as a means to change the Niger Delta narrative”. 

    ‘Under his leadership, several innovations were completed but you see, the one in education has brought so much joy to the people of our region. For example, not long ago, two thousand students were enrolled in both offshore and onshore educational programs during a recent academic session. 

    “Another set of beneficiaries were also deployed for specialized training in areas like aviation and maritime studies to support specific economic sectors. You can see that these are deliberate efforts on the part of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the federal government to curb the insecurity in the region.”

    He added that posterity would judge Otuaro fairly for spearheading educational advancement programmes and partnerships with various state governments and local institutions like the Bayelsa Medical University to build capacity and train professionals in key fields while equipping Niger Delta youths with relevant skills to be self-sustaining to enable them contribute to the development of their communities, State and nation at large.

    The youth leader stressed the need for stakeholders across the region to sustain the peace initiatives in their areas, working with the Amnesty Office and the federal government to attract the much needed attention to the region in form of investment, infrastructure, job creation and empowerment.

  • Otuaro urges Niger Delta to back Tinubu for second term

    Otuaro urges Niger Delta to back Tinubu for second term

    …deploys 161 for foreign postgraduate scholarship

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for strongly supporting the agency’s recent deployment of its foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries

    Otuaro said the PAP had so far sent 161 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries to universities in the U.K. for the 2025/2026 academic year.

    He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his invaluable input and guidance in the exercise.

    Otuaro, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Otuaro Oduma, attributed the huge deployment to the backing and generosity of the President.

    He urged stakeholders of the Niger Delta to stand with President Tinubu and support his reelection bid in 2027.

    Otuaro stressed that the president had demonstrated good intentions for the region and deserved reciprocal action in 2027.

    Recall that the PAP office had penultimate week, organised a pre-departure briefing for two batches of the beneficiaries on the foreign post-graduate sponsorship in Abuja.

    Otuaro noted that the PAP’s “decision for the massive deployment aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his genuine love for the people of the Niger Delta.”

    He said the President was aware of the region’s challenge of the human capacity development gap and the need to close it, empower the people, and galvanize socio-economic growth and development in the area.

    According to him, the region’s human capital development gap can be increasingly closed if the huge deployment of scholarship beneficiaries within and outside the country is sustained.

    Otuaro further said, “I am eternally grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for graciously supporting the Presidential Amnesty Programme as we deploy foreign scholarship beneficiaries for the academic session.

    “But for the President’s magnanimity, it would not have been possible for us to send 161 beneficiaries to universities in the U.K. The number is huge, and it aligns with His Excellency’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects his undying love for the Niger Delta.

    “I am equally immensely thankful to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his usual incredible guidance and supervision, which helps us a great deal.

    “I am highly encouraged by the President’s backing of our formal education and vocational training initiatives, and his strong desire for the socio-economic growth and development of our region.

    “I believe that if we sustain the high number of scholarship deployments within and outside the country, the issue of the human capacity development gap in our region will be decisively tackled.”

    The PAP’s boss restated his call on all scholarship beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity, complete their programmes successfully, and return home to add value to the development of the region and indeed the country.

  • Otuaro warns PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries against abuse

    Otuaro warns PAP foreign scholarship beneficiaries against abuse

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has warned postgraduate foreign scholarship beneficiaries of the programme against abusing the opportunity.

    He gave the admonition at the orientation programme for the third batch of the foreign scholarship beneficiaries, who make up over 140 students deployed for post-graduate studies in universities in the United Kingdom.

    Like the previous two batches, the third batch beneficiaries also received brand new laptops from the PAP office to help them in their studies and research in their various institutions in the U.K.

    Read Also: Oluremi Tinubu marks birthday with call for national library completion

    Otuaro, in a statement signed by his special assistant, media, Igoniko Oduma, expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for supporting the initiatives of the PAP towards bringing the amnesty programme close to the people of the Niger Delta.

    He warned the beneficiaries that their deployment was not a window to “japa”, saying they should return to Nigeria after completing their programmes and add value to the development of the region and the country.

    He noted that the large-scale deployment, which started with the first batch in January 2025, followed by the second batch on September 11, 2025, was part of a deliberate effort to close the human capital development gap in the region.

    He stressed that the area was in dire need of relevant manpower in critical disciplines and human endeavours.

    Otuaro urged them to conduct themselves responsibly and obey the laws of their host country, as well as the rules and regulations of their various universities, while studying hard to justify their sponsorships.

    The PAP boss said, “I don’t want any of you to abuse this post-graduate scholarship opportunity that is given to you. I am saying this because previous abuses have made our chances to become so slim in some European countries, but the U.K. Government has been very considerate.

    “I want to admonish you as beneficiaries to go, complete your studies, and come back and add value to our region and the country. That is why we are giving you this opportunity. This is not an opportunity to go to japa.

    “We give honour and appreciation, first, to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCRF, for the huge support he has given to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and also the Office of the National Security Adviser. I appreciate them immensely for supporting us in the direction we are going.

    “All we are doing is a deliberate effort to close the human capacity development gap in the region so that, at every point in time, we have people qualified for any field of endeavour. Some of us didn’t have the opportunity to benefit from a scholarship award, but today you are the beneficiaries. Tomorrow it will be the turn of others.

    “So this post-graduate scholarship is an opportunity for you to go and study, finish, and come back home. The deployment is based on the skill demand of the Niger Delta. Don’t overstay. At the end of your programme, return home, and if you have anything else you want to do, reapply (for a visa) to go back there. Don’t use this opportunity to crash into other programmes that will give you problems.”

    He urged them to make good use of the sponsorship and also make their families, communities, the region, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the President proud.