Former Agitators Urged To Promote Peace In Niger Delta

By Rhoda Godwin in Yenagoa*

Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has urged former agitators participating in the programme to refrain from taking any actions that could jeopardise peace and security in the Niger Delta.
Otuaro made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting in Warri, Delta State, on Saturday.

The meeting, titled “Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability, and Development of the Niger Delta,” brought together leaders from all levels of the PAP.

Otuaro emphasised the importance of working to maintain peace and security in the region, citing the need to avoid a return to the pre-amnesty era of conflict and violence.
Otuaro assured stakeholders that the PAP was dedicated to the development of the Niger Delta, particularly human capital development.

He also promised to improve the programme’s operations to make it more responsive to stakeholders’ needs, including holding regular meetings to gather feedback and respond to complaints.

He continued, “Others have also been trained and empowered by the Programme and are doing very well in various trades such as fashion design, unisex salon, fish farming, baking and confectionery, rice production, hairdressing, cement and building materials.

“In addition, several PAP scholarship students have earned First and Second Class Upper in a variety of courses of study, including Medical and Clinical Sciences, at both domestic and international universities. My leadership is dedicated to maintaining this track record of academic excellence, which is being lauded by well-meaning individuals and organisations throughout the region and, indeed, the country.”

Otuaro promised to improve the Amnesty Office’s operations to make it more responsive to stakeholders’ needs, including holding regular meetings to solicit valuable feedback from delegates and respond quickly to complaints.
During the meeting, delegates praised Otuaro for his initiative, with some expressing concern about financial difficulties. Many people advocated for an increase in the N65,000 stipend, which they felt was insufficient to meet their basic needs.

Despite these concerns, the delegates gave Otuaro a vote of confidence and praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his appointment.