{"id":5500,"date":"2026-03-02T15:16:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/just-in-group-lauds-pap-boss-otuaro-as-amnesty-programme-scholarship-beneficiaries-hit-8205\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T15:16:16","slug":"just-in-group-lauds-pap-boss-otuaro-as-amnesty-programme-scholarship-beneficiaries-hit-8205","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/03\/02\/just-in-group-lauds-pap-boss-otuaro-as-amnesty-programme-scholarship-beneficiaries-hit-8205\/","title":{"rendered":"JUST IN: Group Lauds PAP Boss Otuaro As Amnesty Programme Scholarship Beneficiaries Hit 8,205"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Freeborn Abraye <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Brutu Dennis Otuaro &#8211; Some Niger Delta ex-agitators have reviewed the activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and expressed satisfaction with the direction of the scheme under its administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They said the renewed focus on education and skills development is repositioning the region for long-term stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ex-agitators, under the Board of Trustees of the Critical Stakeholders\u2019 Forum of Ex-Agitators, said PAP has sponsored 8,205 students at both Nigerian and foreign institutions since Otuaro assumed office, describing the number as unprecedented in the programme\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group\u2019s national spokesperson and secretary, Nature Dumale Kiegha, said the new direction of PAP has shifted attention from stipends to real empowerment through education and employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said, \u201cUnder the leadership of the administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, the programme now centres its strategic priorities on the promotion of regional stability through interconnected pillars, education, stakeholders\u2019 engagements, vocational excellence and direct employment pathways.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dumale explained that the scholarship expansion has created a large pool of educated and employable young people in the Niger Delta, which he said would support peace and development in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added, \u201cThis expansion represents the single largest educational deployment in the history of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and underscores the administration\u2019s commitment to knowledge-driven reintegration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to him, the 8,205 new students represent an increase of over 400 per cent compared to previous scholarship intakes, showing a strong commitment to mass access to education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dumale noted that the programme has also introduced a merit-based system, rewarding excellence among beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said, \u201cThis initiative has both a reward mechanism reinforcing the programmes and expectations of high performance and encouraging a competitive result-driven ethos amongst beneficiaries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also revealed that over 3,400 laptops have been distributed to students to bridge the digital gap in the region and support their academic work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking on employment, Dumale said PAP has adopted a training-to-employment model, placing beneficiaries in aviation and other sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He said: \u201cThese beneficiaries have been successfully integrated into leading airlines, aviation service providers, including Air Peace, United Nigeria Airline, Bristol Helicopter, Green Africa Airlines and OAS Helicopters. Notable placement include qualified air traffic controllers deployed to Abuja and Benin Airports as well as certified UAV drone specialists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are also calling on well-meaning Niger Deltans, stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth leaders to give Dr Dennis Otuaro all the support and encouragement he needs to continue to invest in the future of our youths as education empowerment cannot be over emphasised. We pass a vote of confidence in them and appeal to them to keep empowering the youths in the Niger Delta.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Freeborn Abraye Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Brutu Dennis Otuaro &#8211;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"JUST IN: Group Lauds PAP Boss Otuaro As Amnesty Programme Scholarship Beneficiaries Hit 8,205","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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[1840,1839],"class_list":["post-5500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-1840","tag-just-in-group-lauds-pap-boss-otuaro-as-amnesty-programme-scholarship-beneficiaries-hit-8"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2738,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2024\/07\/10\/online-news-platform-daybreak-news-retracts-report-alleging-neglect-of-group-of-ex-agitators-by-amnesty-boss-otuaro-says-report-is-untrue\/","url_meta":{"origin":5500,"position":0},"title":"Online News Platform, \u201cDaybreak News\u201d Retracts Publication Alleging Neglect Of Group Of Ex-Agitators By Amnesty Boss, Otuaro, Says The Publication Is untrue, Baseless","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye A publication issued by a faceless group who claims to be Ex Niger Delta Agitators, threatening to protest against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, have been retracted. The said publication was retracted by the Online News Platform, Daybreak.ng, on\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\/2024\/06\/img_3816-3-1.png?fit=1080%2C761&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_3816-3-1.png?fit=1080%2C761&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_3816-3-1.png?fit=1080%2C761&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_3816-3-1.png?fit=1080%2C761&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/img_3816-3-1.png?fit=1080%2C761&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":5500,"position":1},"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":5232,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/22\/akwa-ibom-ex-agitators-resolves-internal-dispute-pledges-total-support-loyalty-to-otuaro-led-pap\/","url_meta":{"origin":5500,"position":2},"title":"Akwa Ibom Ex-Agitators Resolves Internal Dispute, Pledges Total Support, Loyalty To Otuaro Led PAP","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Ebiowei Gabriel The Akwa Ibom State Ex-Agitators have successfully resolved all internal disputes and, in unity and one voice, have resolved to pledge their total support and loyalty to High Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). In a statement signed by the Akwa\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\/12\/e90ec521-cce8-496b-9e14-754d1f9bd2fc.jpg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/e90ec521-cce8-496b-9e14-754d1f9bd2fc.jpg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/e90ec521-cce8-496b-9e14-754d1f9bd2fc.jpg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/e90ec521-cce8-496b-9e14-754d1f9bd2fc.jpg?fit=720%2C900&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3525,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/02\/27\/pap-enough-is-enough-says-niger-delta-ex-agitators-as-they-vows-to-protect-otuaro-and-his-mandate-to-reform-the-amnesty-programme\/","url_meta":{"origin":5500,"position":3},"title":"PAP: \u201cEnough Is Enough\u201d Says Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, As They Vows To Protect Otuaro And His Mandate To Reform The Amnesty Programme","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"February 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye A group of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, under the umbrella body of the Coalition of Phase 1 Ex-Militant Leaders, has sent a strong message of warning to certain unguided elements in the region to desist from further incessant attacks against the Administrator of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3522,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/02\/23\/chief-dennis-otuaro-an-unparalleled-pacesetter-in-the-niger-delta__king-edougha-ekpokpo\/","url_meta":{"origin":5500,"position":4},"title":"CHIEF DENNIS OTUARO; AN UNPARALLELED PACESETTER IN THE NIGER DELTA__King Edougha Ekpokpo","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"February 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye The appointment of Chief Dennis Otuaro is nothing but the greatest relief done to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, salvaging it from the yokes of corruption and incompetence. With his vast wealth of expertise in conflict management and resolution coupled with his experience as a critical and participatory\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\/02\/img_4563-1.webp?fit=1182%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_4563-1.webp?fit=1182%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_4563-1.webp?fit=1182%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_4563-1.webp?fit=1182%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/img_4563-1.webp?fit=1182%2C1102&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4592,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/amnesty-edo-based-ex-niger-delta-agitators-commends-dr-otuaro-on-successful-leadership-training-urges-other-ex-agitators-stakeholders-to-support-him\/","url_meta":{"origin":5500,"position":5},"title":"AMNESTY: Edo Based Ex-Niger Delta Agitators Commends Dr. Otuaro On Successful Leadership Training, Urges Other Ex-Agitators, Stakeholders To Support Him","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye BENIN CITY \u2013 THE leadership of Niger Delta Ex-militant Forum Edo State chapter on Wednesday commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro on his sustaining of the amnesty programme and continuous training of former militants. A statement jointly signed by the National\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_1728-1.jpg?fit=693%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1728-1.jpg?fit=693%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1728-1.jpg?fit=693%2C960&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1qI","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5500","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=5500"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5500\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}