From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Leaders of the Ijaw Youth Network (IYN) have lauded President Bola Tinubu and Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Administrator Dr Dennis Bruto Otuaro for their commitment to developing the Niger Delta region.
The prominent youth group particularly cited the recent award of scholarships to over 1,700 students from the region.
In a statement by the IYN President and Secretary, Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor, the group praised the President’s decision to retain the PAP and his appointment of Dr Otuaro to lead the agency.
The duo described the President’s decision as a visionary move that has started to yield unprecedented results in peace sustenance in the region.
The IYN particularly commended Otuaro for taking painstaking steps to ensure the last scholarship exercise was transparent and fair across the region.
“President Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional wisdom not only by retaining the Presidential Amnesty Programme but by appointing Dr. Otuaro, an accomplished administrator whose leadership has brought remarkable progress to the programme,” said Ebikabo and Ebiaridor in the statement.
The IYN leaders emphasised the historic nature of the scholarship scheme, which includes opportunities for overseas master’s degree studies.
“The scale and transparency of this scholarship scheme, which provides comprehensive support including tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing the fundamental challenges facing our region. Had previous administrations shown similar sustained dedication to human capital development in the Niger Delta, our region might have avoided the path to militancy,” the duo added.
The IYN leadership highlighted several achievements under Dr Otuaro’s administration, including the deployment of four Niger Delta indigenes to South Africa for specialised aviation training and the training of 98 young men and women in maritime skills at the Joemarine Institute of Nautical Studies and Research.
“Dr. Otuaro has shown a deep understanding of the historical grievances that led to unrest in our region and is systematically taking bold and deliberate steps to implement these through well-thought-out initiatives,” the president and secretary noted.
IYN, however, pleaded with President Tinubu to consider increasing the budgetary allocation to the Presidential Amnesty Programme to enable the agency to expand its reach and create an even more lasting impact in the Niger Delta region.
The group affirmed their continued support for President Tinubu’s administration and Dr Otuaro’s leadership, stressing their commitment to partnering with the federal government in fostering sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.