{"id":4628,"date":"2025-08-13T07:40:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T07:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/ichc-warns-against-misrepresentation-of-presidential-amnesty-programme-asks-olu-of-itsekiri-to-submit-arms-to-delta-state-govt-if-he-is-interested-in-amnesty-reaffirms-support-for-dennis-otuaro\/"},"modified":"2025-08-13T07:44:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T07:44:03","slug":"ichc-warns-against-misrepresentation-of-presidential-amnesty-programme-asks-olu-of-itsekiri-to-submit-arms-to-delta-state-govt-if-he-is-interested-in-amnesty-reaffirms-support-for-dennis-otuaro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/ichc-warns-against-misrepresentation-of-presidential-amnesty-programme-asks-olu-of-itsekiri-to-submit-arms-to-delta-state-govt-if-he-is-interested-in-amnesty-reaffirms-support-for-dennis-otuaro\/","title":{"rendered":"ICHC Warns Against Misrepresentation Of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Asks Olu Of Itsekiri To Submit Arms To Delta State Govt If He Is Interested In Amnesty, Reaffirms Support For Dennis Otuaro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) has observed, with deep concern, recent comments and tendencies emanating from the palace of the Olu of Itsekiri through one Dr. Mese who claims to be a representative of the Olu in the Amnesty programme, his unguided utterances seeks to misrepresent the scope, mandate, and beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the avoidance of doubt, the Amnesty Programme is not created to serve the Itsekiri Traditional Rulers Council, nor is it an appendage of the Olu of Itsekiri to be remotely dictated from his palace. The programme is a federal intervention designed to address the needs of its documented 30,000 beneficiaries; delegates drawn from across the Niger Delta region, without ethnic or sectional bias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is therefore inappropriate and unhelpful for any traditional authority through proxies like Dr. Mese to attempt to impose influence or create the perception that the PAP is subject to their directives. The programme does not answer to the Itsekiri Palace, and its operational focus remains firmly on the empowerment, reintegration, and welfare of its registered beneficiaries across all Niger Delta communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We caution the Olu of Itsekiri and his proxies to refrain from actions or statements that could fan the embers of discord or present a distorted narrative about the PAP\u2019s operations. Such a path, if replicated by other traditional rulers, risks undermining the fragile peace and stability of the region; peace which is essential for governance, development, and even the effective administration of traditional domains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We therefore urge His Majesty to respect the sanctity of his office and exercise the moral restraint befitting the honour and responsibility that comes with the revered Itsekiri throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Importantly, the era of disarmament under the PAP has long passed, and the Itsekiri people:like every other ethnic nationality, must acknowledge this fact. The current phase is reintegration for already documented beneficiaries, not an avenue to reopen old disarmament claims or alter established beneficiary lists, if the Olu is interested in becoming an Ex-militant he should approach the Delta State government and beg for pardon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, the ICHC vehemently strongly condemns the recent remarks by Dr. Shola Mese, who has attempted to mislead the public by suggesting that the PAP under Dr. Dennis Otuaro is skewed against the Itsekiri people. Such claims are not only false but are calculated to stir unnecessary ethnic tension. While Dr. Mese claims to have been involved in the disarmament phase years ago, that era is over. The PAP is now in its reintegration phase, which operates strictly on the basis of the existing list of beneficiaries, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, and others alike without room for ethnic favoritism, blackmail or political manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We remind Dr. Mese that his appointment as Sole Itsekiri Representative to the PAP Office in 2024, courtesy of the Olu of itsekiris recommendation, does not confer authority to dictate programme policy or undermine the Administrator, the PAP can never answer to the palace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The PAP is a Niger Delta-wide peace instrument, not an ethnic bargaining chip for palace politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ICHC, led by Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, reiterates its full confidence in the leadership of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, who, since assuming office, has worked with diligence, inclusivity, and commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His track record of engaging stakeholders across ethnic divides, and ensuring fairness in programme delivery, stands as a testament to his capability and dedication to the beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let it be known: the PAP belongs to the entire Niger Delta not the Itsekiri people nor their Olu and its continuity and success demand unity, not division.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Uche Alvin The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) has observed, with deep concern, recent&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1344,1343,1345],"class_list":["post-4628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-asks-olu-of-itsekiri-to-submit-arms-to-delta-state-govt-if-he-is-interested-in-amnesty","tag-ichc-warns-against-misrepresentation-of-presidential-amnesty-programme","tag-reaffirms-support-for-dennis-otuaro"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1865-2-1.jpg?fit=732%2C627&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4632,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/just-in-foremost-ijaw-youth-organization-dismisses-allegations-made-against-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-by-itsekiri-youths-council-says-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":0},"title":"JUST IN: Foremost Ijaw Youth Organization Dismisses Allegations Made Against Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro By Itsekiri Youths Council, Says Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has dismissed allegations by an Itsekiri group accusing the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, of unfair treatment towards Itsekiri ex-agitators. In a statement signed on Tuesday by its National President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4633,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/just-in-foremost-ijaw-youth-organization-dismisses-allegations-made-against-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-by-itsekiri-youths-council-says-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Foremost Ijaw Youth Organization Dismisses Allegations Made Against Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro By Itsekiri Youths Council, Says Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has dismissed allegations by an Itsekiri group accusing the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, of unfair treatment towards Itsekiri ex-agitators. In a statement signed on Tuesday by its National President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4973,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/28\/delta-youth-group-makes-rebuttal-to-false-allegations-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elites-iye-against-amnesty-administrator-dennis-otuaro-describes-allegations-as-blackmail-witch-hunt\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":2},"title":"Delta Youth Group Makes Rebuttal To False Allegations Made By Itsekiri Youth Elites (IYE) Against Amnesty Administrator, Dennis Otuaro, Describes Allegations As Blackmail, Witch-Hunt","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye OPEN LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED Youths OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA) We, the Concerned Youths of Warri Federal Constituency, have read with profound dismay and anger the reckless publication by a self-styled group, the Itsekiri Youth\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4605,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/08\/just-in-ijaw-rights-group-blasts-itsekiris-over-attacks-on-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-says-benefits-enjoyed-by-itsekiris-in-the-amnesty-programme-is-a-privilege-not-right\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":3},"title":"JUST IN: Ijaw Rights Group Blasts Itsekiris Over Attacks On Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro, Says Benefits Enjoyed By Itsekiris In The Amnesty Programme Is A Privilege Not Right","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye Says no Itsekiri PAP scholarship students abandoned \u2022Insists no true ex-agitator in Itsekiri, slots enjoyed are political A leading Niger Delta group, the Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI has strongly condemned the baseless, mischievous, barbaric, and misleading call to sack the administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4625,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/amnesty-what-itsekiris-are-benefiting-today-is-a-privilege-not-right-says-niger-delta-group-reveals-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":4},"title":"AMNESTY: \u201cWhat Itsekiris Are Benefiting Today Is A Privilege Not Right\u201d Says Niger Delta Group, Reveals Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye Our attention has been drawn to a pseudo and non-existent Itsekiri group under the camouflage of Warri Youth Council, WYC, to blackmail the revered and most performing administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro. We are not perturbed of their criminal agenda, knowing fully well\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4790,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/09\/pap-we-are-not-owing-novena-or-any-other-institution-tuition-fees-otuaro-reveals-says-theres-no-record-of-5000-itsekiri-students-under-pap-scholarship-scheme\/","url_meta":{"origin":4628,"position":5},"title":"PAP: \u201cWe Are Not Owing Novena Or Any Other Institution Tuition Fees\u201d Otuaro Reveals, Says There\u2019s No Record Of 5000 Itsekiri Students Under PAP Scholarship Scheme","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 9, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Presidential Amnesty Programme has said that it is not owing school fees of 5000 students of Itsekiri extraction in Novena University, Ogume, Delta State. The PAP in a statement on Tuesday stated that the agency is not owing fees in Novena or any institution within or\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crime&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1cE","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4628"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4630,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4628\/revisions\/4630"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}