Otuaro rallies Niger Delta support for Tinubu as PAP sends 150 scholars to UK

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has urged people of the Niger Delta to reciprocate President Bola Tinubu’s developmental efforts by voting massively for him in the 2027 general elections.

Otuaro made the call on Thursday in Abuja while speaking at the pre-departure orientation for 150 postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries being deployed to universities in the United Kingdom.

A statement signed by Mr Igoniko Oduma – Special Assistant on Media to the PAP’s administrator, on Friday, said the latest deployment brings the number of PAP-sponsored beneficiaries sent to UK universities this year to 243, following the deployment of 93 beneficiaries in January and May.

Before the latest batch, about 270 beneficiaries were already studying various postgraduate programmes in UK universities, including cybersecurity, software engineering, data science analytics, law, forensic auditing, fintech analytics, construction engineering management, global public health and oil and gas engineering.

Speaking at the event, Otuaro described the scholarship scheme as a strategic investment in the future of the Niger Delta and Nigeria, saying it would help address the region’s human capital deficit while contributing to peace and stability.

He said, “We are again here to send some of the most brilliant and vibrant youths of the Niger Delta for post-graduate studies in select disciplines in the UK.

“We are able to do this because, our father and leader, Mr President is committed to the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta.

“I must say that as a people, we should make sure we vote massively to ensure his victory in the 2027 general elections. This is the best way to show gratitude to a President who has taken these deliberate steps to help our people and the region.

“This year, in January and May, we had sent 93 beneficiaries for offshore post-graduate programmes. Now, we have 150 that we are sending abroad, and about 56 made first class while about 140 made second-class upper division. We already have 270 in UK universities before these recent deployments.

“This exercise underscores our commitment to ensuring that the Niger Delta youths have greater access to higher education within and outside Nigeria as we build a solid foundation for the region’s future.”

The PAP administrator attributed the expansion of the scholarship programme to what he described as President Tinubu’s unprecedented support for the agency under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Otuaro disclosed that 8,700 beneficiaries were currently undergoing training and education within Nigeria, while the programme had also expanded its offshore scholarship opportunities.

“As of today, we have 8700 in-country. That is what President Tinubu has done for the Niger Delta. By the grace of God, we are going to increase the number this year.

“We have deployed 270 beneficiaries to offshore universities: 11 for undergraduate programmes, 238 for master’s degrees, and 21 for PhDs.

“While 57 have graduated, many with distinction, 248 are in-training. From onshore universities, we have recorded 54 master’s and doctoral graduates. In the 2024/2025 academic year, we recorded over 50 first class and over 134 second-class upper division.

“That is our investment for a greater and better tomorrow because it will help our communities and our region tomorrow,” Dr Otuaro added.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support for the programme and commended the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his supervision, insights and professional contributions.

Otuaro charged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies, obey the laws of the United Kingdom and regulations of their respective institutions, and return home after completing their programmes to contribute to the development of their communities and Nigeria.

Two of the beneficiaries, Opukeme Gideon, who will study MSc Cyber Security at the University of Aberdeen, and Afiyagba Peredisabofa, who will undertake an MSc in Oil and Gas at Coventry University, thanked President Tinubu and Otuaro for the opportunity.

They pledged to work hard and make the country and the Niger Delta proud.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Dr Boladei Igali; Prof. Ben Binebai of Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Niger Delta activist, AnnKio Briggs; Senior Policy Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; and President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Dr Doubra Okotete, commended the Federal Government for sustaining the scholarship programme.

They also praised Otuaro for expanding the scheme and described it as “a legacy that will impact several generations.”

The stakeholders further commended the PAP leadership for promoting gender balance in the selection of beneficiaries, noting the significant representation of female scholars.

The new beneficiaries were also sensitised on social and cultural dynamics, academic and school expectations, security considerations while studying abroad, obligations of the PAP office to beneficiaries and economic prudence.

Other stakeholders at the event included PANDEF Secretary, Engr. Bekinbo Dagogo-Jack; Treasurer, Hon. Mrs Ifeoma Agbomah; and members of the Ijaw Women Connect, led by its President, Mrs Rosemary Oduone.