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Tag: Presidential Amnesty Programme

  • PAP distributes 900 laptops to scholarship beneficiaries in universities

    PAP distributes 900 laptops to scholarship beneficiaries in universities

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has distributed an additional 900 laptops to its scholarship scheme beneficiaries studying in Nigerian universities in the third batch of the exercise within the country.

    Beneficiaries from the Nigeria Maritime University, Admiralty University of Nigeria, and three non-partnering schools, such as Dennis Osadebey University, Southern Delta University, and University of Delta, benefited from the distribution

    The distribution of the mobile computing device on the weekend followed the directive of the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro.

    A statement signed by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, said the office had conducted the first batch in May 2025 with 663 laptops and the second batch in November 2025 with 1,857 laptops.

    Speaking during the recent presentations, Otuaro said that the initiative was a demonstration of his unwavering commitment to human capital development in the Niger Delta.

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    According to him, education is a critical driver of personal growth, innovation, and sustainable development in the region and indeed the country.

    Otuaro, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Special Projects, Engr. Sokoto Ebikonde Victor reiterated that his decision was aimed at equipping the PAP scholarship students with an essential tool for learning, research, and academic excellence in an increasingly technology-driven age.

    He said, “This laptop distribution underscores our strong commitment to the overall academic success of our students. This laptop is an essential tool meant to enhance your learning, research, and innovation.

    “We encourage you to utilize them responsibly so that you can achieve outstanding results and justify your enlistment for the scholarship scheme.

    “We urge you to remain focused on your studies and to see the gesture as an investment by the Federal Government in your future and the development of the Niger Delta.

    “We assure you that the Presidential Amnesty Programme will continue to implement initiatives aimed at supporting education, skills acquisition, and youth empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”

    The PAP helmsman expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his magnanimity towards the agency, and also thanked the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his efficient supervision of the programme.

    Many of the scholarship beneficiaries described the laptop distribution as timely, saying that it would greatly support their studies and pledged to utilize it properly.

    They also expressed their gratitude to President Tinubu, the Federal Government, and the PAP Administrator, Dr Otuaro, for giving them the opportunity to access higher education under the scholarship scheme.

  • PAP distributes second phase of laptops to scholarship students

    PAP distributes second phase of laptops to scholarship students

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has commenced the second phase of distribution of laptops to its scholarship beneficiaries deployed to universities within Nigeria.

    The exercise, which followed the directive of the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, was aimed at enhancing learning and research by the students in their various institutions.

    A statement signed by Otuaro’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, said the first phase of the distribution was carried out between April and May 2025, and over 663 final year scholarship beneficiaries received the mobile computing device.

    During that exercise, the PAP also diligently undertook a physical verification and orientation programme for the beneficiaries in the resumption list for the 2024/2025 academic session.

    Speaking on the second phase of the distribution, Otuaro reiterated that his decision was informed by the usefulness of the laptop to academic pursuits and overall success.

    He also stated that the gesture was in fulfilment of his promise to the scholarship beneficiaries during his tour of partnering universities in 2024.

    Otuaro expressed the hope that the mobile computing device would greatly support learning and research by the students and also help them achieve academic excellence.

    He urged them to make good use of it and justify the Federal Government’s huge investment in their education.

    The PAP boss also advised them to take their studies seriously and avoid acts capable of jeopardizing their academic pursuits and bright futures.

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    He said the PAP would continue to support the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme to achieve academic excellence.

    He said his leadership was determined to implement the programme’s objectives for the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    Otuaro expressed profound appreciation to the President for supporting the PAP wholeheartedly, stressing that it showed his sincere love for the region and his strong desire to close the human capital development gap in the area.

    He urged the youths and people of the region to return the President’s gesture by giving his administration the expected support in all areas.

    He assured the President of his leadership’s unwavering commitment to complementing the renewed hope agenda in the Niger Delta by consolidating on the programme’s achievements.

  • Rivers crisis: PAP warns ex-agitators involvement

    Rivers crisis: PAP warns ex-agitators involvement

    The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has urged ex-agitators under the scheme to maintain responsible conduct in light of the recent developments in Rivers State.

    In a statement on Wednesday, PAP Administrator Dr. Dennis Otuaro advised all ex-agitators and beneficiaries to resist any attempts by individuals or groups, regardless of their status, to involve them in the ongoing situation in the state.

    He said: “I am appealing against engaging in violent activities or making yourselves available for acts capable of throwing the Niger Delta into chaos.

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    “I am reminding you of your obligations as critical stakeholders as well as ambassadors of peace to maintain and safeguard the region’s peace and stability for the safety of the Niger Delta people and their means of livelihoods.

    “The PAP Office further wants all ex-agitators to beware that some merchants of violence will like to make political gains out of tensions in Rivers State and use them as cannon fodder to disrupt the peace for their selfish desires. You are urged to shun such temptations.

    “The Niger Delta has suffered enough on many fronts over the years, and all ex-agitators should realize this fact and ensure that the region is not plunged into further destabilization due to the developments in Rivers. 

    “Importantly, I am asking ex-agitators, beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and the good people of the Niger Delta not to engage in the destruction of oil and gas and other government assets in the region.”

  • The many strides of Presidential Amnesty Programme

    The many strides of Presidential Amnesty Programme

    By Monsuru Arilesere

    Once upon a time in Nigeria, the Niger Delta region as we know it today did not exist. The land mass and its people were there alright, but the state of affairs, the life they live and the well-being of the entire region was nothing short of perilous.

    The region was at war – a war mainly against itself, but a perilous war, all the same.

    Security, peace and other human development indices took flight, and chaos reigned.

    Youth restiveness and armed struggle with all its dark and dire outcomes reigned unchecked.

    Then, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua-led federal government introduced the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in 2009 to salvage the region. That decision became a watershed moment, not just for the area but for the entire country, which was constantly feeling the heat from the fire raging in that region.

    Its primary goal was to de-escalate and defuse the youths’ restiveness and was designed to provide a framework for disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration of ex-militants.

    The warring militants were offered a time-boxed opportunity to surrender their arms in exchange for amnesty and rehabilitation.

    They were to be re-integrated into their communities by providing formal education, vocational training and employment opportunities.

    From 2009 till now, PAP has made significant and even giant strides under its mandate.

    It’s on record that more than 20,000 repentant militants surrendered their arms and ammunition to the federal government and that many have also benefited from the programme’s vocational training and education initiatives.

    It’s a no-brainer to say that peace, stability, and growth have also long returned to the region.

    And since March 2024, when Dr. Dennis Otuaro took over the reins of leadership at PAP, the programme has experienced boundless progress in the different aspects of its mandate.

    It has taken him just one year to take the vocational training and economic empowerment to a new height, particularly in aviation’s deployment of aircraft maintenance engineers for on-the-job training (OJT), 40 AMEs were type rated on ERJ – 145 and CRJ – 900/B737 aircrafts by Alom Aviation Services Limited.

    The engineers were deployed for their one-year mandatory OJT in March of 2024.

    It’s also public knowledge that 16 AMEs are undergoing their OJT at the 7 Star Global Hangar, while 21 others are at Aero Contractors Limited.

     One of them is presently at King Airlines and Travels Limited.

    Four Cadet Pilots were deployed to SimAero Training Limited Johannesburg, South Africa, for type rating on ERJ–145 and ATR72–500 on the 31st of May, 2024. They graduated and returned to Nigeria on the 30th of June, 2024.

    PAP had a caseload of two cadet pilots who completed their instrument rating course on AW139 at Henley Air Flight Training in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 10, 2024. Due to their outstanding performance at the instrument rating course, they were further deployed for their Type Rating Course on 29th May 2024 at Caverton Helicopters Limited in Lagos State.

    Moving over to the maritime sub-sector, many can still recall the story of the 98 Maritime Cadets whose training programmes were truncated in Poland, Vietnam and Sweden between 2011 and 2014 due to frequent change of leadership at PAP. Well, one of the distinct actions Dr. Otuaro took on assuming office was to ensure that they were sent to Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, in Delta State, to complete their programmes.

    Just last October, the Dr. Dennis Otuaro-led PAP enrolled the cadets in a boot camp that would enable them to refresh their memories on the maritime training and for the naval consultant to figure out which cadets are ready to go further for the mainstream maritime training.

    As the astute and pragmatic leader and administrator that he is, Dr. Otuaro, since coming to PAP, has taken stakeholder management and engagement to an admirable level. This is because he understands the role of the critical stakeholders in achieving and sustaining the goals of the amnesty programme. He has organised various stakeholder engagement sessions with the different categories of leaders and community representatives in the region.

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    The 2024 PAP Stakeholders Engagement Summit specifically convened by Dr. Otuaro also reinforced the importance of dialogue, collaboration, and inclusivity in sustaining peace in the Niger Delta.

    The event provided a platform to address key concerns, proposed solutions, and strengthened relationships between the PAP and its stakeholders.

    In line with his resolve to sustain effective stakeholder engagement at PAP, Dr. Otuaro has continued to forge mutually beneficial relationships with different government agencies and officials.

    For instance, due to his determination to secure a better future for the graduates of the various development initiatives of PAP and to strengthen the synergy with the nation’s civil service, Dr. Dennis Otuaro held a crucial meeting with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dame Didi Walson-Jack.

    Just last November, the Dr. Otuaro-led PAP reiterated his commitment to keeping the peace in the Niger-Delta region by ensuring that all the PAP objectives are always met. This was done during a meeting with the Defence Headquarters Joint Monitoring Team led by Major General Jamil Jimoh.

    The region and the country have continued to reap the dividends of the prevalent peace and security in the area as the country’s daily oil production output has significantly increased over the years to the present 1.8 barrels.

    Indeed, Dr. Otuaro has proven in the short time he has been at the PAP’s helm of affairs that he has everything it takes to ensure that PAP continually delivers on its mandate.

    Arilesere, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Ibadan

  • Ex-agitators pledge support for Tinubu

    Ex-agitators pledge support for Tinubu

    Ex-agitators under Phase 1 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have pledged support for the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

    The ex-agitators spoke Saturday, during the inauguration of a new executive leadership structure for the Amnesty Phase 1, held at Mofor, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The newly inaugurated National President, Mr. Aaron Oputu a.k.a Gen. Aroni, assured that ex-agitators under the Amnesty Phase 1 will not fight government, but support it to sustain the peace in the Niger Delta region.

    “I want to tell the Federal Government that our leadership will not be one to fight the government, rather we will support the government and the security agencies. We will work with President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser,” he said.

    Assuring of an all inclusive leadership, Aroni promised to promote unity among members, stating “I’m ready to serve the House. I’m here to listen to everybody. In the course, of the struggle, we lost so many people. I’m here to represent the common people, those that were abandoned. I’m here to work with them. I will ensure there is no division. We will speak in one voice as ex-agitators of Niger Delta. We will not separate this house.”

    He further thanked Niger Deltans leaders such as High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, HRM King Ateke Tom and High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro,  among others for providing exemplary leadership for the ex-agitators.

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    Chairman of the inaugural committee, Chief John Isiayei, explained that the new leadership stemmed from the voluntary resignation of the former National President of Phase 1, HRH Henry Binidoudougha Egbema 1.

    He charged the newly inaugurated executive to ensure fairness and equity in their leadership,  as well as continue to accord respect to their predecessors.

    Other members of the new executive drawn from States in the Niger Delta include National Vice President, Mr Inatimi llebeim Detagnant (Bayelsa);  Public Relations Officer (PRO), Gen. Godgift Ayabowei (Bayelsa); Assistant Secretary, Prince Denis Ogbagbonna (Rivers); Treasurer, Hon. Dennis Philip (Rivers); Finacial Secretary Gen. Prince James (Akwa-Ibom); National provost, Gen Amaechi Adibuo (Imo); National spokesman, Gen. Chief Ukori Adiku (Edo); National Adviser, Gen. Emmanuel Okadikpo (Abia); National Adviser, Gen. Awe Akuke (Delta) and National Adviser, Chief John Isiayei (Bayelsa).

  • 98 PAP delegates complete special training on maritime skills 

    98 PAP delegates complete special training on maritime skills 

    At least 98 delegates sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for a boot camp and a refresher course in specialised maritime-related skills at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Otomewo, Delta State, have completed their training.

    A formal close-out ceremony for the 98 PAP maritime cadets was held on at the institute’s premises to mark their graduation from the rigorous one-month vocational training.

    Speaking at the event, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, said their deployment for the exercise was part of the PAP’s manpower and human resources development schemes for the Niger Delta.

    Otuaro in a statement signed on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, described the training as strategic.

    He stressed that it was aimed at equipping the maritime cadets with the requisite skills for the country’s maritime industry that was anchored on President Bola Tinubu’s policy on the blue economy.

    Otuaro said: “I am very delighted that you have successfully completed your boot camp and refresher course. It is another significant milestone that underscores the commitment of the PAP under my leadership towards developing the requisite manpower and human capital for the Niger Delta.

    “Manpower and human resources development are critical to the economic growth and development of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

    “More importantly, your training in specialised maritime-related skills is very strategic. It aligns with the policy of His Excellency,  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the blue economy to harness the massive opportunities in the nation’s maritime industry for national development.”

    He lauded the President, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their unwavering support for the PAP and the region’s economic growth, development and stability.

    Otuaro said that his administration would strive to train more Niger Deltans in specialised vocational skills in diverse trade areas, formal education, post-training empowerment, among others, under the programme’s reintegration template to foster sustainable peace in the region.

    He congratulated the maritime cadets on the remarkable feat they had achieved, and advised them to explore the vast opportunities in the blue economy and maritime domain, which is their natural environment as Niger Deltans.

    Otuaro also commended them for demonstrating high discipline throughout the duration of their training, urging them to show professionalism and competence which would help them when players in the maritime industry engage their services.

    He also expressed appreciation to the management of the institute for justifying the confidence reposed in them with the thorough and professional handling of the maritime cadets’ training.

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    The MD/CEO of Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research, Akpos Epidei, thanked the PAP administrator for believing in their ability to carry out the training and made recommendations for higher certification programmes for the maritime cadets in the near future.

    In his goodwill message, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Emomotimi Guwor, who was represented by one of his aides, Amafini Akemeotubo, praised  Otuaro for refocusing the programme for better service delivery to the Niger Delta people.

    A valedictorian of the successful maritime cadets, Ebi Jackson, expressed gratitude to the PAP administrator for the boot camp and refresher course, adding that they benefited greatly from the exercise.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of awards/certificates to the 98 maritime cadets by the PAP boss.

  • Ex-agitators seek removal of PAP from TSA

    Ex-agitators seek removal of PAP from TSA

    The second phase of ex-Niger Delta agitators have appealed to the Federal Government to remove the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    National Chairman of Phase Two, Ibena Rufus Salvation, made the plea yesterday after an emergency meeting with other leaders.

    They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to remove impediments to the payment of their stipends.

    Ibena said the inclusion of PAP in TSA was negatively affecting the smooth operations of the amnesty programme and delaying payment of ex-agitators’ stipends.

    Ibena urged leaders and beneficiaries of the Phases 1, 2 and 3 to remain patient with the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, over the delay in the payment of October stipends.

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    He said the delay was not from PAP office or the Administrator, but due to the TSA system.

    He appealed to President Tinubu and Ribadu to remove the PAP office from the TSA system to enable the administrator to function effectively.

    Ibena noted that the TSA system is not working for the Amnesty Office, which he described as a security office with so many emergencies to tackle.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to release funds to the office quarterly or get a bank for the office where their money could be released every four months.

    He said: “We are pleading with the President to remove PAP Office Account from the TSA to avoid for delays.

    “The office itself is a security office and with such delays, the beneficiaries may misunderstand and misinterpret the delay.

    “I want to plead with beneficiaries to be calm. The delay in the payment of stipends is not from the office nor from the administrator but as a result of the TSA system being operated in the country.

    “We are aware the office of the FCT Minister is not using TSA. The President used his veto power to release the FCT ministry from the TSA.

    “That is what we are pleading too, that our office is a security office that has to do with so many emergencies.

    “On behalf of the leaders and beneficiaries, I am pleading with the President and the NSA to see how they can release the office account from the TSA system to enable the administrator work and function effectively.”

  • Ex-agitators plead with FG to remove PAP from TSA

    Ex-agitators plead with FG to remove PAP from TSA

    The leadership of Phase Two Ex-agitators in the Niger Delta has appealed to the Federal Government to remove the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    The National Chairman of Phase Two, Ibena Rufus Salvation made the plea on Sunday after an emergency meeting with other Phase Two leaders on Sunday

    Ibena said the inclusion of PAP in TSA was negatively affecting the smooth operations of the amnesty programme including the delay in payment of ex-agitators’ stipends.

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    Ibena pleaded with the leaders and beneficiaries of the Phase 1, 2 and 3, to remain calm and be patient with the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, over the delay in the payment of October stipends.

    He said the delay was not from PAP office or from the Administrator, but as a result of the TSA system applied by the federal government.

    He appealed to President Tinubu and Ribadu to see how they could remove the PAP office from the TSA system to enable the administrator work and function effectively.

    Ibena noted that the TSA system is not working for the Amnesty Office which he described as a security office with so many emergencies to tackle.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to be releasing funds to the office quarterly or get a bank for the office where their money coul be released quarterly.

    He said: “We are pleading with the President to remove PAP Office Account from the TSA to avoid for delays. The office itself is a security office and with such delays, the beneficiaries may misunderstand and misinterpret the delay.

    “I want to plead with beneficiaries to be calm. The delay in the payment of stipends is not from the office nor from the administrator but as a result of the TSA system being operated in the country.”

    “We are aware the office of the FCT Minister is not using TSA. The President used his veto power to release the FCT Minister from the TSA. That is what we are pleading too, that our office is a security office that has to do with so many emergencies.”

    “On behalf of the leaders and beneficiaries, I am pleading with the President and the NSA to see how they can release the office account from the TSA system to enable the administrator work and function effectively.”

  • South/South group applauds Presidential Amnesty Coordinator engagements

    South/South group applauds Presidential Amnesty Coordinator engagements

    The Convener, South South Reawakening Group (SSRG), Mr. Joseph Ambakederimo, has commended Presidential Amnesty Program Coordinator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for his continued engagements with stakeholders across the region in the quest to understanding their needs, in terms of training and re-training of youths, as well as empowerments of women and aged in various communities.

    He further noted that besides creating an enabling environment for an open feedback with the people, such engagements would also provide the opportunity for stakeholders to be well informed on the activities of Amnesty program in the region and by so doing, bridging the gap of distrust and acrimony that had existed between management and indigenes in recent past.

    Making the stand of the group known in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri, yesterday, Mr. Ambakederimo, also Chairman Board of Trustees, Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC), called for sustainability of the stakeholders engagement, as a way of giving the people sense of belonging.

    The statement read in part; “The Presidential Amnesty Program coordinator Dr Dennis Otuaru’s continued engagement with stakeholders and people of the region is very well articulated and a forward looking strategy in problem solving”.

    “We applaud the continued transformative stakeholders engagements in the region, bringing the people to speed with happening in the Presidential Amnesty Programme is key, it strengthens cooperation and build trust”.

    “The meetings and engagements undertaken by the leadership of the hold great potential to build strong, long-term partnerships that will not only connect people of the region but drives sustainable growth across multiple strata”.

    “It is delighted to note that we now have a leadership that is purposeful, responsive, and people – serving that can’t be over emphasised, again we urge our leaders at all strata of society and all sectors in the region, including the Governors in the region to reinvent themselves and lead with a servent leader mindset, and lead with selflessness and dignity in the mould of Dr. Dennis Otuaro”.

    Continuing; “The people livelihood, jobs and our national security are at stake if the Presidential Amnesty Programme is not sustained and improved funding is guaranteed. What we are advocating will cost money but some things are just too important to ignore, therefore making a case for better funding for purposes to expand the mandate of the programme will not cease”.

    “We will continue to make this case because the present leadership has shown undiluted capacity that needed to be encouraged and supported in all of its ramifications”.

    “The issues around calling for the expansion of the programme would be in addition to begin further engagements in collaboration with the Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC) and operators of the unlicensed refineries and pipeline vandals taking it from where the Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC) has achieved with a view to bringing them under the Presidential Amnesty Programme fold and provide alternative incentives to make them look away and have a new lease of lives”.

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    Speaking further; “The Presidential Amnesty Programme is the agency of government well suited to undertake this initiative that the CDC is putting forward because in our interaction with the operators it was discovered that many of them are willing to further their educational pursuit, some are willing to acquire new skills in diverse areas of human endeavour such as steel fabrication and Metallurgy, areas where they have already shown some prowess and needed to be put through formal training that will further add to national development”.

    “It is important to note that the CDC has made very important gains chiefly amongst which is identifying and putting a face to unlicensed refineries operators in the region and the willingness of the operators to come out of the creeks and engage in meaningful talks that will eventually turn their lives and livelyhoods for the better and for society”.

    “In view of the foregoing we urge the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to take a critical view of the CDC’s initiative and successes to deepened this engagement with the operators and reap from the gains therein”.

    “This is the justification for the call for the expansion and more funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme, in order for the agency to be able to undertake this task effectively with the immense multiplier effects leading to safe guarding of oil installations and increased Oil production”, he concluded.

  • 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.”