The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is not taking the existing peace in the Niger Delta for granted and is appreciative of the prevailing peace and stability in the region.
Otuaro stated this in different consultative visits to the Chief Priest of Mein-Diringbia Deity, Agadagba III; Godday Smith, Meinbutu’s Elders Council, and the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone in Warrington, Delta State on Tuesday.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Igoniko Oduma, said the members of Meinbutus Elders Council unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Otuaro during the consultative visits to the stakeholders.
The statement said the motion for the vote of confidence was moved by a former speaker of the IYC parliament, Deme Yinkore, and was seconded by Wayas Ebiaremene.
Otuaro said Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, believed strongly in the PAP and its objectives for the Niger Delta.
The PAP boss said Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda mantra also encapsulates the aspirations of the Niger Delta people, especially because he is a southern president.
Otuaro reiterated his resolve to passionately serve the people and run the programme with transparency while ensuring its expansion for more inclusivity, particularly among women, elders and communities.
While calling for more unity among the people, he said the PAP, under his leadership, was committed to engaging more youths through formal education, vocational training, empowerment, and mentoring, among others.
He said, “I am here to also say that Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very grateful for the peace in the Niger Delta. He is not taking the peace in the Niger Delta for granted.
“Mr President loves the Niger Delta people and the Ijaw nation. And as long as we organise ourselves as Ijaw people, the President remains committed to the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta cause. He is a southern president and he always needs our support, but we, too, must organise ourselves and be more united and also support Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“I have passion for this job. I am committed to rendering better and quality service to our people because I am holding this position in trust for them. I will give total service, and it is time to do so.
“Whenever I need advice I will call and come. I will always consult. An office like this requires planning and listening, and by the grace of God I will continue to be a good listener.”
He noted in particular that the “Meinbutus are playing a crucial role in this issue of peace that we are talking about in the Niger Delta”, adding that the peace is a reflection of their activities because they are organised as a pioneer agitator group in the struggle.
Otuaro pledged to always consult stakeholders and thanked the Mein-Diringbia Deity chief priest, the Meinbutus Elders Council, and the IYC for their support, urging them to sustain the effort to maintain peace and stability in the region.
In his address read by Ayakeme Tonkiri, the chief priest stated that the people of Mein Kingdom firmly believed that the PAP under their Otuaro’s leadership would achieve tremendous success.
“With the various reforms made so far in repositioning the Presidential Amnesty Programme since your assumption of office, we are indeed proud to identify with your laudable achievements which have changed the narratives of the programme in recent times,” he said.
