By Joy Omagha Idam, Abuja
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaru, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, bade farewell to 150 Niger Delta beneficiaries selected for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
The beneficiaries, who participated in a Pre-Departure Orientation Programme held at the Corporate Headquarters of the PAP, comprised 50 First Class graduates and 100 graduates with Second Class Upper (2:1) degrees.
The colourful event provided the students with essential information on international travel protocols, academic expectations and other guidelines they are expected to observe as they prepare to commence their studies in the UK.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Dr Otuaru charged them to conduct themselves responsibly and remain worthy ambassadors of the Niger Delta, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Nigeria.
“You are the light of the Niger Delta. This is a serious investment under the Renewed Hope Agenda, of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu” he told the students.
He urged them not to disappoint the President, PAP, their families and loved ones, stressing the importance of returning to Nigeria after their studies to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
According to him, the August departure is the third batch of scholarship beneficiaries to leave the country this year, following earlier departures in February and May.
Dr Otuaru also disclosed that about 8,700 students are currently studying in various Nigerian universities under the PAP scholarship scheme and are performing well academically.
PANDEF Commends PAP Administrator
In his goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Ambassador Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, commended Dr Otuaru for his efforts in repositioning the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Amb. Igali expressed delight over the expansion of the scholarship scheme to accommodate postgraduate, Master’s and PhD programmes, as well as first-degree programmes in Nigerian universities.
He also commended the gender balance among the beneficiaries, describing Nigerian youths as some of the brightest minds in the world.
He charged the students to distinguish themselves academically, obey the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and their respective institutions, and return home after their studies to contribute to national development.
“Nigerian children are the brightest and best brains all over the world. Be worthy ambassadors and be the best. Above all, return home and give back to your fatherland,” he said.
He further urged the students to be intentional about their academic performance, noting that companies and organisations would be watching out for outstanding graduates.
Amb. Igali also paid tribute to Niger Delta activist and Amazon of the Niger Delta struggle, Ann-Kio Briggs, for her consistency and vocal advocacy during the struggle for the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ann-Kio Briggs: Niger Delta Youths Were Agitators, Not Militants
Also speaking, Annkio Briggs, a veteran of the Niger Delta Struggle, sought to correct what she described as a misconception surrounding the Niger Delta struggle.
She said it was inappropriate to describe the youths who participated in the struggle as “militants”, insisting that they were agitators who sought greater participation and benefits for their communities from the resources extracted from the Niger Delta.
According to her, the agitation was driven by young people demanding a voice in decisions concerning the oil resources taken from their region and seeking to ensure that communities in the oil-producing area benefited from the resources.
She noted that the struggle eventually contributed to the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
IYC President Calls for Increased PAP Funding
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dr Doubra Okotete, called on the Federal Government to increase funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
He argued that, considering the current revenue generated from oil production, more resources should be allocated to the programme to enable it to accommodate additional beneficiaries and expand its interventions across the Niger Delta.
He urged the Federal Government to sustain its investment in human capital development through the PAP.
PAP Restates Commitment to Scholarship Programme
Meanwhile, the Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Dr Edgar Daniel Biu, reeled out the terms and conditions of the scholarship to the beneficiaries, including the rules of engagement they are expected to observe throughout their studies.
Mr. Biu urged the students to remain disciplined and uphold the reputation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme wherever they find themselves.
He noted that the students’ performance would have an impact on the future of the scholarship scheme.
“If you do well, it will spur President Tinubu to increase the budget for the programme,” he said.
Dr Biu also commended Dr Otuaru for his commitment and doggedness in repositioning the PAP, noting that the Administrator and his team had gone beyond their limits to restore efficiency and effectiveness to the programme.
He urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the scholarship to acquire knowledge and skills that would enable them to contribute significantly to the development of their communities and Nigeria upon their return.