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Tag: PAP

  • PAP not part of Yenagoa dialogue, won’t trade vocational training for money

    PAP not part of Yenagoa dialogue, won’t trade vocational training for money

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has clarified that it was not involved in the “dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta”.

    The statement said the dialogue was  hosted in Yenagoa on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Southsouth, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan’.

    The PAP Office made the clarification in a statement signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, on Thursday.

    PAP said the explanation became necessary as a result of the unfortunate linking of its office with the Yenagoa Dialogue in some quarters and the ongoing fraud by some persons, who collected monet from unsuspecting victims using the name of the Office with a fake promise of vocational training and empowerment benefits.

    The statement further reiterated that beneficiaries of the office’s vocational, educational scholarship and post-training schemes did not pay any money to benefit from them.

    It quoted the PAP boss as warning all delegates of Phase One, Two, Three, and other beneficiaries about the ongoing fraud and to desist from giving money in return for alleged favour from the presidential amnesty office. 

    Otuaro called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in using the name of the office for a scam to serve as a deterrent to others.

    The statement said:  “The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been drawn to an event that was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on 8 October 2024, which centred on “dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta”.

    “The PAP Office wishes to clarify that it was not a party to the event, which was hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightMan’.

    “This clarification becomes necessary due to the misconception in some quarters that the PAP office was involved in the event. 

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    “We are concerned that based on the event, some persons are impersonating the PAP Office and collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public with a fake promise they will be engaged in vocational skills training and other empowerment opportunities in return.

    “The PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, advises PAP delegates of Phases One, Two and Three as well as beneficiaries to, in their own interest, stay away from activities that are not officially sanctioned by the Office. 

    “The PAP Office does not demand money from potential beneficiaries for enrollment in its vocational, educational scholarship and post-training initiatives.

    “The Administrator is urging security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those using the name of the PAP Office to engage in fraudulent activities. The public should count the PAP office out of such pay-for-engagement activities.”

  • PAP’s scholarship student makes First Class in Law

    PAP’s scholarship student makes First Class in Law

    • Scheme produced 60 First-Class graduates among beneficiaries in seven years

    A student on the scholarship scheme of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Kemien Egbekun, has made First Class in Law with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.77 at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), Agbara-Otor, Delta State.

    Egbekun’s performance has increased the number of first-class graduates recorded by the PAP scholarship scheme between 2016 and 2024 to 60.

    Two other students sponsored by the programme in the same university – Oladapo Damilola and Toikumo Prosper – also graduated with a Second Class Upper Division in Law.

    The PAP graduates were announced during the university’s sixth convocation ceremony on September 6.

    PAP’s Head of Education, Dr. Charles Ariye, confirmed that the scheme produced 60 first-class graduates in competitive disciplines between 2016 and 2023 at various partnering universities.

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    He listed the disciplines as  electrical/electronics, engineering, computer science, civil engineering, accounting, law, petroleum engineering, physics, international relations, chemistry, biochemistry, political science, medical laboratory science, microbiology, industrial chemistry, among others.

    Stakeholders praised Egbekun and her colleagues for adding to the constantly growing number of the PAP scholarship scheme beneficiaries who had scored similar excellent grades in various courses of study at partnering institutions.

    The PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, expressed delight at the sterling academic performances of students sponsored by the programme.

  • PAPBEF dissociates self from protest, suggests dialogue

    PAPBEF dissociates self from protest, suggests dialogue

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) beneficiaries forum has urged beneficiaries to refrain from participating in the proposed protest.

    The group’s spokesperson, Mr Senibo Spencer, in a statement stressed the importance of prioritising peace and stability in the nation, expressing concerns about potential risks associated with the protest.

    It said the decision to distance itself from the planned protest was conveyed followed the conclusion of a national mid-year conference in Abuja.

    The forum called upon southern youths to shun the protest. In a communique after the conference, PAP beneficiaries reiterated opposition to any form of protest, citing the detrimental effects such actions can have, such as violence, loss of lives, and property damage.

    The forum underlined the significance of engaging with authorities through peaceful and lawful means like dialogue, urging youths to steer clear of being coerced into illegal activities.
    Acknowledging the potential of entrepreneurship in promoting self-sustainability and reducing reliance on the government for employment opportunities, the forum encouraged youths to embrace entrepreneurship for personal and economic empowerment.

    By honing their entrepreneurial abilities, it said they can create opportunities for themselves, bolster the economy, and improve their standard of living.

    The forum appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Dr. Dennis Otuaru, a technocrat, as the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    It lauded him as an ideal choice for the role, describing him as a perfect match.

  • Steer clear of PAP boss, monarch warns detractors

    Steer clear of PAP boss, monarch warns detractors

    The King of Okochiri Kingdom in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM King Ateke Tom, has hailed the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, for his bold steps to reposition the scheme warning detractors against distracting him.

    He observed that Otuaro had quietly carried out well-thought-out reforms to reposition the PAP for better and quality service delivery.

    The first-class monarch, who spoke when the PAP boss visited him at his palace in Okochiri at the weekend stressed that Otuaro had demonstrated that he had the capacity to pilot the affairs of the programme.

    The monarch added that Otuaro’s commitment and passion for efficient service to the people of the Niger Delta were not in doubt.

    Tom in a statement signed by Otuaro’s  Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma asked detractors to allow Otuaro to concentrate on his job.

    He said the ill-advised attempts by some characters to pull down Otuaro were condemnable and not in the best interest of the region, delegates and beneficiaries of the PAP.

    He described Otuaro as a serious-minded Niger Deltan and a product of the struggle, who believed in wide consultation and collaboration with stakeholders for the success of the programme.

    The former freedom fighter thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, stressing that the president made the right choice in his decision.

    He said: “Mr (PAP) Administrator, I want to commend you for all that you are doing to better the programme for our people and our region. Since your appointment, I have watched keenly how you have made progress and recorded laudable achievements. 

    “You are doing well, and that’s why I want to advise people who are not happy over your appointment to stop distracting you. Must we pull our people down, everytime? I call on them to support you instead of doing the unpleasant things they are doing.

    “We know you as a person that likes to consult and also collaborate with stakeholders. It is not surprising because as someone who was in the struggle,  you have not disappointed us, and we trust that you will not disappoint us.

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    “The President made the best choice for giving you the position of Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme because you are a very serious-minded person, and we have confidence in your ability to better the programme in terms of service delivery for our people.”

    In his remarks,  Otuaro described Okochiri as an ancient kingdom in Ijaw land, explaining that his visit to the 

    traditional ruler was part of his ongoing consultations and engagements with critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta.

    The PAP boss noted that King Tom was one of the major Niger Delta activists who was consistent with his advocacy for a better standard of living for the region.

    He thanked King Tom for his fatherly advice and words of encouragement, saying that he and members of his team were poised to continually render quality service in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President.

  • PAP: Bank accepts responsibility for delay in beneficiaries’ stipends

    PAP: Bank accepts responsibility for delay in beneficiaries’ stipends

    The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has informed the Amnesty Office that some Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) delegates have not received their March stipends due to technical issues in the bank’s processing system.

    The explanation following repeated complaints from beneficiaries of the PAP that they had not received their stipends for the month of March.

    A statement yesterday signed by the Special Assistant, Media, to the Administrator, PAP, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, said due to the complaints, the Programme Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, who felt the delay was abnormal, wrote the UBA wherein the bank explained that some delegates banking with it had not been paid due to glitches in its processing system.

    Oduma said the bank, however, explained that it had processed the refund for the failed transactions into the beneficiaries’ accounts.

    The spokesman said: “Due to complaints from some beneficiaries, the Amnesty Office had written to the bank seeking an explanation for the delay.

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    “The Amnesty Office had disbursed March stipends to all beneficiaries’ accounts and the funds had already left its accounts.

    “The office will collaborate with UBA to ensure that all outstanding payment issues are resolved.

    “The Office thanks all beneficiaries for their patience and display of patriotism in reacting to this unexpected development.”

  • Ex-agitators paid March stipends, said PAP office

    Ex-agitators paid March stipends, said PAP office

    The N65,000 stipends for the month of March has been paid to beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), the office confirmed yesterday.

    A statement by the Presidential Amnesty Office said the stipends were paid to all the beneficiaries through their verified bank accounts during the week.

    The PAP stated that it has become necessary to provide this explanation in view of calls from delegates, inundating the office of non payment or delay in the payment of the stipends.

    The Office explained that the apparent delay in receiving the credit alert for the payment for the month of March might not be unconnected with glitches associated with some of  the banks.

    It noted that the fact that so many delegates have received the stipends is a clear testament to the fact that the stipends have been paid.

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    It stressed further that it is the standard practice of the PAP to ensure that all such monies are paid to all delegates at the same time.

    The statement called on the beneficiaries and stakeholders to exercise patience as the affected financial institutions are dealing with these unforeseen development.

    The management noted that the office under the leadership of Dr Dennis Otuaro, would do all to ensure prompt payment of stipends to beneficiaries.

    The statement assured that stipends of beneficiaries are not delayed  even as the management counts on all delegates and stakeholders for support.

  • A’Ibom ex-agitators to new PAP: we’re suffering injustices

    A’Ibom ex-agitators to new PAP: we’re suffering injustices

    Ex-agitators from Akwa Ibom state have urged the new administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro to address the injustices against them over the years.

    While commending President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of Otuaro as the PAP administrator, they said they have been marginalized by previous PAP administrators.

    This was contained in a statement by the Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum (Phase II Presidential Amnesty Programme) at the weekend and signed by it’s chairman, Imoh Okoko.

    According to them, the choice of Otuaro as the new PAP administrator was an eloquent testimony to Tinubu’s good intentions for ex-militants and the Niger Delta region as a whole.

    “We want to state here that Mr. President has made the right choice for the Presidential Amnesty Office and we are sure that you will bring your wealth of experience to sustain and transform the Presidential Amnesty Programme to achieve its aims.

    “We also use this opportunity to thank President Bola Amed Tinubu for appointing High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro as the Presidential Amnesty Boss, this shows that Mr. President means well for the Niger Delta people and the Ex-Agitators”, the statement reads in parts.

    They urged the new PAP administrator to reposition the Amnesty programme to achieve its original mandate, saying such engagements will stem the resurgence of restiveness in the region.

    The statement further reads, “We also want to bring to your notice the marginalization and maltreatment meted against the Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants by the Presidential Amnesty Office over the years. These include:

    “None payment of seven (7) months stipends arrears to 20 beneficiaries under the Niger Delta Liberation Movement since 2014 despite court judgment mandating Amnesty Office to pay the beneficiaries.

    “None payment of leader’s entitlement to Mr. Imoh Okoko despite passing through leadership training organized by the Presidential Amnesty Office in Calabar in 2014.

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    “Also we regret to bring to your notice the sudden stoppage of the stipends payment of twenty-two (22) members out of Forty-Six (46) members of Ukanafun Freedom Fighters shortly after commencement of payment by the Presidential Amnesty Office in 2010 despite several efforts made to the office to correct this anomalies.

    “We also want to bring to your notice that camp leaders in Akwa Ibom State have not been invited to stakeholders meeting by the Presidential Amnesty Office especially Mr. Imoh Okoko which we believe is a forum where concerns of each group and state supposed to be address.

    “It is sad to inform you that none of Akwa Ibom state beneficiaries has not been engaged in educational or vocational training and empowerment since inception of the Presidential Amnesty Programme despite our plea for consideration of our members for training and empowerment.

    “The above are some of the injustices suffered by Akwa Ibom ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, we therefore hoped and believe that your appointment and assumption of office is divine and that you would use your good offices to address these injustices and marginalization against Akwa Ibom ex-militants.

  • Ex-agitators’ leaders hail reforms in PAP

    Ex-agitators’ leaders hail reforms in PAP

    Leaders of ex-agitators have hailed reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), implemented by the Interim Administrator, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (Rtd).

    Speaking in Calabar, Cross River State, during an interactive session facilitated by the PAP office for leaders of PAP Phase Two, the leaders bared their minds on the programme and called for sustained implementation of the scholarship initiative, as well as the recently initiated cooperative programme.

    Ibena Rufus, a beneficiary of PAP Phase Two and spokesman for ex-agitators’ leaders’ forum, noted that  PAP had made a lot of progress under the tenure of Ndiomu.

    He said the area that gave previous administrators of PAP challenge was reintegration, which the current interim administrator had addressed.

    Ibena recalled that PAP started with disarmament and demobilisation, which were successful, but ran into issues when it got to the reintegration aspect.

    “The previous administrator could not tackle issues of reintegration, but the current administrator has demonstrated capacity to tackle it.”

    He praised the interim administrators for restructuring the programme and taking it back to the people.

    Olutu Wanemi, the chairman of PAP Phase Two, said none of the PAP administrators thought of empowering the entire 30,000 beneficiaries of the programme before the coming of the present interim administrator.

    He said the cooperative initiative introduced by the interim administrator is a welcome development.

    Wanemi said: “None of the leaders had thought of empowering the entire 30,000 beneficiaries, but we were shocked when the interim administrator came on board and introduced cooperative scheme to accommodate everybody.

    “This is a welcome development for the beneficiaries and the right thing to be done. I appeal that the interim administrator should be reappointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

    Corinne Hart, another delegate at the meeting, said with the reforms in place, things are getting better.  “Within the past year, over 80 per cent of the issues in the programme have been addressed. This is reflected in the relative peace in the region.

    “The amnesty programme was not really working for many leaders, but recently with our brother there, we are beginning to feel the impact of the programme.

    “Almost eighty per cent of the issues in the office have been handled by the current interim administrator and he has been harmonising the leaders, talking with them and doing necessary things that should be done,” he said.

    Major Marshall Akpor, the agency liaison 0fficer, who represented the interim administrator, said the essence of the programme was to interact and discuss with the delegates.

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    He said PAP wants to hear from the delegates, in order to get their feedback and improve the programme.

    He disclosed that the Presidential Amnesty Cooperative Society Ltd is aimed at giving an alternative livelihood to the ex-agitators.

    “Also the platform created for scholarships is aimed at ensuring that only real delegates benefit from the scheme.”

    The Head of the Reintegration Programme of PAP, Mr. Wilfred Musa, said under the PAP scholarship scheme, over 10,000 people had benefited since its inception and there was a monitoring and follow-up initiative on beneficiaries.

    “So far a good number have graduated and have taken jobs in places.”

  • Ex-agitators deny hijack of PAP’s N320m

    Ex-agitators deny hijack of PAP’s N320m

    • Urge security agencies to arrest those threatening to shut gas plant

    Ex-agitators under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have claimed that no ex-agitator under any guise, nomenclature or auspices hijacked N320million in Bayelsa or any other state of the Niger Delta connected with PAP, as alleged in some quarters.

    Leaders of Phase 2 Ex-agitators PAP Forum in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, also denied threatening to shut down Utorogu Gas Plant over the alleged hijack of N320million.

    The statement signed by the National Chairman of Phase 2 Amnesty Forum, ‘Generals’ Olotu Wanemi; Secretary, Clement Wodo; National Spokesman and Ibena Salvation called on the security agencies to take swift action to nip their plans in the bud.

    They also called on the security agencies not to treat the threat of shutting down Utorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli, Delta State, with kid gloves, saying those behind the threat should be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.

    Reacting to a publication by some ex-agitators threatening to shut down the gas plant over alleged hijack of N320million, the ex-agitators said it was worrisome that some self-acclaimed “notorious busy bodies” not known to any of the strata within the PAP leadership structure would rush to the press to spread baseless and unfounded stories just to suit their inordinate desires.

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication by some self-appointed chairmen of the Phase 2 Ex-Agitators Forum of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), allegedly from Delta, Edo and Bayelsa states with a title, ‘Niger Delta ex-militants petition FG, threaten to shut down Utorogu Gas Plant over alleged hijack of N320million’.

    “We wouldn’t have been bothered to respond to the above mentioned publication, but for the mistruth, disinformation and falsehood it has generated in the minds of unsuspecting public.

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    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidential Amnesty initiative has a well-structured leadership organogram. From Phase 1 to Phase 3 have their respective leadership structure that is recognised by the PAP office and the Interim Administrator, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.), deals with the respective leadership of the various phases with respect, candour, humility and a high sense of responsibility. 

    “In order not to sound like a broken record, no camp under whatever name in Bayelsa State purportedly received, collected or hijacked the sum of N320 million as alleged by ‘Generals’ Solomon Adu, London Gbuke and Julius Belemu from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states. The publication is not only spurious and misleading, but also vexatious. We demand that the publication should be refuted by the authors within one week; failure of which a legal action will be instituted against them.”

    “We urge the security and intelligence community not to treat the threat of shutting down Utorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli, Delta State with kid gloves. The security agencies should be swift in identifying and apprehending them, and let the full weight of the law descend heavily on these ugly characters who are infamous for destructive and diabolic activities against the Nigerian state. 

    “We can proudly say and without sounding immodest, that the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP),  under Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.), is enjoying a new lease of life and with a breath of fresh air. 

    “Genuine ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the PAP initiative are happy with the present Interim Administrator and we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint the Interim Administrator as the substantive Amnesty boss to consolidate his excellent strides in the PAP Office.”

  • Ex-agitators warn against PAP termination

    Ex-agitators warn against PAP termination

    Ex-agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have warned against scrapping of the scheme, noting that those calling for the termination of the programme do not mean well for the people of Niger Delta.

    The ex-militants under the Second Phase Amnesty Ex-Agitators Forum, reacting to calls for the programme to be scrapped by a group, said findings showed that those calling for the liquidation of the programme were not from the region.

    The National Spokesman for the Second Phase Amnesty Ex- Agitatators Forum, ‘General’ Salvation Ibena Rufus, said in a statement yesterday that no true son of the Niger Delta or beneficiaries of PAP would seek or call for the termination of the programme or sack of the Interim Administrator of the programme, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.

    He said under Ndiomu’s watch at PAP, beneficiaries had had it so good in recent times, adding that a breath of fresh air had been injected into the scheme. 

    Rufus said what critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta were clamouring for since the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the confirmation of Ndiomu as the substantive coordinator of the PAP, noting that the listed beneficiaries were appreciative of the superlative performance of the interim administrator.

    He said: “We are in harmony with genuine stakeholders from the region on the call for President Tinubu to confirm Major-General Ndiomu (rtd.) as the substantive boss of PAP.

    “We are urging these faceless characters and desperate political jobbers to leave the Presidential Amnesty helmsman alone to concentrate on his task of taking the Presidential Amnesty scheme to greater heights.” 

    “We have it on good authority that the authors and sponsors of the calls for scrapping of the PAP are not from the Niger Delta. Our intelligence gathering suggested that the motive behind the blistering media war is to compel the government of President Tinubu to terminate and liquidate the Presidential Amnesty Scheme. “

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    “No true son or daughter of Niger Delta and a beneficiary of the PAP will seek or call for the sack of Ndiomu. He has done well since his assumption of office at PAP. He should be encouraged instead of being bullied by unscrupulous elements.”

    Rufus said it was laughable, preposterous and ludicrous as some faceless characters claimed that N2.5 billion in the coffers of the Presidential Amnesty Corporative Loan Scheme had vanished into thin air. 

    Dismissing the allegations as a farce, the national spokesman said: “There is no iota of truth in this unfounded allegation. 

    “What these uninformed and faceless characters failed to understand is that the alleged N2.5 billion was a seed money to kick start the laudable initiative and so far more than 1,000 delegates have benefited from the soft loan depending on what you intend to do with the money. 

    “The wisdom behind the Presidential Amnesty Scheme (beneficiaries), Cooperative Society Ltd (PAPCOSOL), is to ensure that delegates and beneficiaries of the PAP initiative do not rely on N65,000 monthly stipend paid to ex-agitators till eternity.”