From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa 


The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has called on former agitators enrolled in the programme to avoid any actions that could undermine peace and security in the Niger Delta. Otuaro made this appeal at a stakeholders' meeting in Warri, Delta State, on Saturday.


The meeting, themed "Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for the Peace, Security, Stability, and Development of the Niger Delta," brought together leaders from all phases of the PAP. 


Otuaro emphasized the importance of working towards sustaining peace and security in the region, citing the need to prevent a relapse into the pre-amnesty years of conflicts and violence.


Otuaro assured stakeholders that the PAP was committed to the development of the Niger Delta, particularly in human capital development. 


He also pledged to enhance the programme's operations to make it more responsive to stakeholders' needs, promising regular meetings to gather feedback and respond to complaints.


He added, “Others have also been trained and empowered through 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 made First Class and Second Class Upper in different courses of study, including Medical and Clinical Sciences, in universities at home and abroad. My leadership is committed to sustaining this trajectory of academic excellence, which is being applauded by well-meaning individuals and organizations across the region and indeed the country.”


Otuaro pledged to enhance the Amnesty Office’s operations to make it more responsive to stakeholders’ needs, promising regular meetings to get valuable feedback from delegates and respond swiftly to complaints. 


The meeting saw delegates commending Otuaro for his initiative, with some raising concerns about financial difficulties. Many called for an increase in the N65,000 stipend, which they felt was no longer sufficient to meet their basic needs. 


Despite these concerns, the delegates passed a vote of confidence on Otuaro, commending President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his appointment