Leaders of the Ijaw Youth Network (IYN) have commended President Bola Tinubu and Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Administrator, Dr. Dennis Bruto Otuaro, for their commitment to the development of the Niger Delta region.
The commendation came in a statement by the IYN President and Secretary, Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor.
The influential group hailed the President’s decision to retain the PAP and his appointment of Dr. Otuaro, to lead the agency, even as they cited the recent award of scholarships to over 1,700 students from the region as highly commendable
“President Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional wisdom not only by retaining the Presidential Amnesty Programme but by appointing Dr. Otuaro, an accomplished administrator whose leadership has brought remarkable progress to the programme,” said Ebikabo and Ebiaridor in the statement.
The IYN leaders further highlighted the transparent approach used in the scholarship scheme, which included opportunities for overseas master’s degree studies.
“The scale and transparency of this scholarship scheme, which provides comprehensive support including tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing the fundamental challenges facing our region,” the youth leaders stated.
“Had previous administrations shown similar sustained dedication to human capital development in the Niger Delta, our region might have avoided the path to militancy”, they added.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme recently deplored 1700 Niger Delta students on scholarships to local and foreign institutions, the first time such a large number of students would be chosen as beneficiaries of the programme.
The IYN leadership listed several achievements under Dr. Otuaro’s tenure, including the deployment of four Niger Delta indigenes to South Africa for specialized aviation training and the training of 98 young men and women in maritime skills at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research.
“Dr. Otuaro has shown a deep understanding of the historical grievances that led to unrest in our region and is systematically taking bold and deliberate steps to implement these through well-thought-out initiatives,” the president and secretary noted.
However, they also called for increased funding for the programme, saying, “While we commend these achievements, we respectfully appeal to President Tinubu to consider increasing the budgetary allocation to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“Additional funding would enable the PAP to expand its reach and create an even more lasting impact in the Niger Delta region.”
The IYN leaders concluded by reaffirming their support for President Tinubu’s administration and Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.
They expressed their commitment to partnering with the federal government in fostering sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.
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