The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is undergoing a transformative shift under the leadership of its Administrator, Dennis Otuaro, who has pledged to infuse the initiative with a human face and drive real development for the people of the Niger Delta.
Determined to elevate the programme beyond the routine N65,000 monthly stipends, Otuaro is focused on empowering ex-agitators with sustainable opportunities that will shape a more prosperous future for the region.
His unwavering commitment was reiterated during a closed-door meeting in Yenagoa, where he engaged with ex-agitator leaders from Bayelsa State, led by His Royal Highness Selky Kile Torughedi, popularly known as General Young Shall Grow. Also present at the gathering was Jonathan Lokpobiri, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration has demonstrated strong support for the PAP, Otuaro urged the Ijaw and other Niger Delta communities to unite in fostering growth and development. He stressed that a divided front would hinder the region’s progress and weaken its ability to demand more from the government.
Expanding Training and Scholarship Opportunities
The PAP’s impact is already being felt through various training and capacity-building initiatives:
• 98 beneficiaries have been trained in maritime skills acquisition.
• Four pilot trainees have successfully completed aviation training in South Africa.
• 45 individuals undergoing aviation engineering training in Lagos are set to graduate by March 2025.
• The PAP scholarship programme for the 2024/2025 academic session has expanded its reach, increasing from 1,700 to 2,500 beneficiaries, with a selection process that remains transparent and merit-based.
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Determined to safeguard the integrity of the initiative, Otuaro made it clear that he would not allow political interference or vested interests to hijack the scheme.
Empowerment Initiatives for Women and Leadership Training.
In a strategic move to extend PAP’s impact, Otuaro revealed plans for a women’s economic empowerment programme, alongside leadership training for ex-agitators and key stakeholders. His administration, he emphasized, is rooted in service to the people, and he urged all Niger Delta stakeholders to rally behind the programme’s objectives.
Stakeholders Applaud Otuaro’s Leadership
Ex-agitator leaders, including Paul Eris (General Ogunboss) and Bony Ayah (General Don Inikio), a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, commended Otuaro for realigning PAP with its original mission. They encouraged stakeholders to support his vision, which they believe will restore the programme’s credibility and maximize its impact.
Similarly, they lauded High Chief Government
Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, recognizing his unwavering dedication to the Niger Delta cause.
Other notable ex-agitators at the meeting included General Africa Ukparasia, General Pius, General Darikoro, Elaye Slabo, Iziri Lucky (General Lucky 7), and Hon. Gibson, among others.
A Call for Unity and Progress
As PAP forges ahead with its reforms and expansion plans, Otuaro has made it clear that only a united Niger Delta can achieve meaningful progress. With a committed leadership, strategic empowerment programmes, and a clear vision for the future, the region stands on the brink of a new dawn, one where development replaces dependency and opportunity eclipses agitation.