STAKEHOLDERS MEETING: Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, Stakeholders Applauds Otuaro's Initiative, As The Administrator Calls For Their Cooperation -

By Freeborn Abraye

Former Niger Delta Agitators and Stakeholders have applauded Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), for interacting directly with them to improve the program’s goals. Meanwhile, the Amnesty Boss used the medium to urge the Agitators and stakeholders to join hands with him, to increase the impact of the programme.

Recall that a five-day stakeholders’ meeting was convened in Warri, Delta State, by the Office of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Otuaro. The meeting commenced on Friday, June 21, 2024, and would last until Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Excited by the Administrator’s initiative, the Stakeholders requested that these kind of engagements and meetings should continue, in order to discuss and address issues bothering on the success of the Programme at every point.

Furthermore, the following issues were raised by the Ex-Agitators which were; medical program to support stakeholders’ health, particularly those who had been injured during the struggle, an evaluation of beneficiary stipends that should be increased from N65,000k, the inclusion of stakeholders’ children in the program for training and empowerment, and keeping stakeholders updated on PAP developments, and that the federal government view the PAP as a security program and pay the Amnesty Office as soon as possible to avoid delays in the implementation of its programs.

Additionally, the Stakeholders and the Ex-Agitators also requested that the intellectual arm of the struggle, or advocacy, should be acknowledged and those engaged in it should be empowered and trained. And that the procedures for enrolling beneficiaries in the amnesty program should be reevaluated in order to remove any obstacles, and the PAP Administrator must listen intently to stakeholders, and the stakeholders must in turn refrain from harming the Administrator’s reputation out of self-interest.

Consequently, Dr. Otuaro in his remark emphasized on the significance of inclusive development, the necessity of sending more recipients for overseas scholarships and skill development, the necessity of extensive training programs, and the empowerment of those who had previously received training.

The Amnesty Boss also stated how important it is to fix systemic flaws in order to guarantee that the program’s advantages are dispersed fairly and are available to all qualified participants.
He also called for unity among stakeholders, urging them to refrain from dividing actions, and to communicate any genuine concerns to him. Further assuring them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the development of the Niger Delta region and is determined to take the program to a new height.

Conclusively, the PAP Administrator asserted that as a people, we can make a strong case to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, only if we can maintain this calm displayed by stakeholders, and come up with innovative ideas. He also revealed his intention to interact with important stakeholders who are not currently included in the amnesty program, in order to include them and give them a sense of belonging.