The national leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has commended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for providing innovative leadership at the PAP.

The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, stated this when he led a delegation of the apex Ijaw socio-cultural organisation to visit Otuaro at the PAP Office in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Okaba, who congratulated Otuaro, said the leadership of the INC and the Ijaw people are proud of him.

He said the Ijaw nation had been expressing satisfaction with the performance of the PAP boss since assuming office in March 2024, particularly in ensuring a paradigm shift in the programme.

The INC boss also thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, noting that the gesture underscored the attempt to address the concerns of the Ijaw people.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for having confidence in the capacity and ability of the PAP boss to deliver on the mandate of the programme.

Okaba said: “When we heard that you are the one appointed to this highly exalted position, we felt very happy. Today, it is to familiarise ourselves and to understand the terrain.

Rivers monarch lauds Otuaro for repositioning PAP

“We want to say that you have started very well. We have seen the paradigm shift in many areas. We want to thank you. Ijaw people are talking well about you; you are a very pragmatic person, an engager and somebody who is not pursued by problems. Rather, when they come, you confront them frontally.

“We like to take this opportunity to really appreciate the President, Bola Tinubu, for your appointment. And only yesterday (Wednesday), a daughter of Ijaw nation was also appointed as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The Ijaw issues of marginalisation, exploitation, and underdevelopment, among others, are receiving much-needed attention.

“Also, we thank the National Security Adviser for the confidence he has in you. In any opportunity we have, we shall impress it upon him that you are a round peg in a round hole. You are a product of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination; not a stranger to the Ijaw problems.

“You can interpret those salient points of Ijaw agitation, and you understand the peculiarities of this engagement. You understand your assignment and Ijaw nation is waiting. You are already doing very well, you have our prayers and support.”

Responding, the PAP Administrator called for unity among the Ijaw people, assuring the INC leadership that he would not be carried away by the office and disappoint the Ijaw nation.

Otuaro vowed to work hard to promote President Tinubu’s will for the sustainable development, peace and security of the Niger Delta.

While thanking the INC for the “legacy visit”, Otuaro said he was poised to make the Programme better with innovations and transparency.

According to him, his administration would increase the number of scholarship students from the current 275 it inherited in the 2023/2024 academic session across various partnering universities in the country.

Otuaro added that the office had designed a scheme to empower not less than 1,000 Niger Delta people in the vocational sectors, in the months ahead, stressing that he would always do the right things.

The Star