Ex-agitators celebrate Otuaro’s two years, urge Tinubu to sustain appointment
Leaders of ex-agitators from the nine oil-producing states under the Niger Delta First Phase Ex-Agitators’ Forum have commended the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, for
Leaders of ex-agitators from the nine oil-producing states under the Niger Delta First Phase Ex-Agitators’ Forum have commended the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, for his transformative leadership in the programme over the past two years.
The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to sustain Otuaro’s appointment to consolidate peace and development in the Niger Delta.
Speaking in Warri on behalf of the forum, the national president, Chief Aroni Oputu, popularly known as General Aroni, said Otuaro had repositioned the programme from a stipend-based initiative to a human capital development platform.
“Since his appointment on March 14, 2024, Dr. Dennis Otuaro has focused on transitioning the programme from a stipend-based model to one of sustainable human capital development.
“We heartily congratulate our very own for attaining two years of impactful service,” he said.
READ ALSO: Dark side of Nigerian women undergoing BBL, ribs removal surgeries
General Aroni highlighted key achievements under Otuaro’s leadership, including the deployment of over 9,000 scholarship beneficiaries to universities within and outside Nigeria between 2024 and 2025.
“In-country placements rose from 3,800 to 4,500 in the 2025/2026 session, while about 200 students were sent to top institutions in the UK, USA and Canada for specialised studies,” he said.
He added that “academic excellence soared, with 32 beneficiaries earning First Class honours and 134 securing Second Class Upper divisions in fields such as Law, Cybersecurity and Aeronautical Engineering in 2025 alone.”
The forum further noted that over 3,400 laptops were distributed to scholarship students, while dormant aviation training programmes were revived, producing 40 aircraft maintenance engineers and four cadet pilots deployed to South Africa for type-rating.
“In the maritime sector, 98 cadets underwent refresher courses and Officer of the Watch certifications to bolster the blue economy,” Aroni said.
He said the programme had also adopted a training-to-employment model, with beneficiaries absorbed into airlines including Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines.
“Through consistent stakeholder engagement with traditional rulers, camp leaders and youth councils, Otuaro’s team maintained regional stability, resolving 100 out of 135 documented conflicts via Alternative Dispute Resolution,” he added.
Aroni also noted that the programme’s database had been overhauled with 12,467 records verified and over 1,100 obsolete entries removed to improve transparency.
“We wish to say unequivocally that Chief Dennis Otuaro’s efforts have not gone unnoticed; we are aware and part of all his programmes and policies. We believe in him; and we are sure that others who are yet to benefit will surely be carried along.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we proudly say that we are proud of you (Chief Dennis Otuaro). Your leadership has laid a strong foundation for greater achievements, and we are confident that the coming years will deliver even more impact for the people of the Niger Delta,” the statement read.
He urged continued support for the PAP coordinator and called on the President to retain him in office.
“We urge President Bola Tinubu to sustain the appointment of Chief Dennis Otuaro for the continuous transformation of our people. This is the only way to complete the change of narrative in the region,” he said.
