By Abubakar Yunusa
The United Advocates for Good Governance and Leadership (UAGGL) has commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, for what it described as far-reaching reforms and renewed commitment to the development of the Niger Delta.
The group, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its National Secretary, Adv. Oyeintonbra Theophilus Friday, under the office of the National Coordinator, Adv. Israel T. Ebiama, said Otuaro’s leadership had repositioned the programme within a short period.
UAGGL said more than 7,000 students had been deployed to various institutions within 21 months under the PAP scholarship scheme, covering both offshore and onshore education for beneficiaries and impacted communities.
It also praised the resolution of long-standing payment arrears and Bank Verification Number issues, which it said had restored confidence among thousands of beneficiaries.
According to the group, the programme had expanded specialised training, including offshore air pilot courses, while boosting digital empowerment through the distribution of thousands of laptops to students deployed for the 2024/2025 academic session.
UAGGL noted that leadership training and development programmes had been launched across the three phases of the amnesty initiative, alongside comprehensive vocational skills training aimed at employability and self-reliance.
The statement added that Otuaro had widened the scope of the programme to accommodate more beneficiaries and strengthened community engagement by involving youths, women, men and other stakeholders across the Niger Delta.
As 2025 draws to a close, the group urged Niger Deltans to support the administrator’s efforts, particularly the drive to expand access to education, training and economic empowerment.
UAGGL also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it called his unwavering support for the Niger Delta, describing his administration’s initiatives as critical to peace and development in the region.
The group used the occasion to extend season’s greetings to Nigerians and wished the country a prosperous New Year.
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