News

2027: Supporting Tinubu Would Sustain Peace, Stability, Development In Niger Delta – Otuaro

Published

2 months ago

July 17, 2025

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has urged stakeholders of the Niger Delta to maintain the prevailing peace in the region

He also appealed to the stakeholders to remain resolute in their support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro spoke at a three-day strategic training on leadership, alternative dispute resolution and mediation, organised by the Presidential Amnesty Programme in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for some stakeholders of the PAP on Wednesday in Abuja.

The PAP boss, who declared the training open, told the participants that the essence of the exercise was to equip them to play more critical roles in the region’s peace process.

In a statement issued by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP boss, Otuaro stressed the need for the people of the Niger Delta to consolidate on the region’s peace process and stability so that socio-economic growth and development could thrive in the communities as encapsulated in the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He assured the people of the Niger Delta that Tinubu would not fail in his firm commitment and dedication to the peace, stability, and development of the region and indeed Nigeria.

Otuaro stressed that by his actions, after his election as President, Tinubu has shown that he is one leader who cannot deceive the people of the Niger Delta for political gains.

Otuaro said the strategic capacity building initiative underscored his unwavering resolve to broaden stakeholders’ participation in PAP activities, and complement Tinubu’s strong determination to impact communities in the Niger Delta.

He noted that the PAP, in the past one year under his leadership, has made remarkable impact on the region’s people by the expansion of the scholarship scheme, vocational training opportunities for former agitators and beneficiaries, and deepening of inclusivity in the implementation of the PAP’s mandate.

He said, “Let me inform us that the objectives of this initiative, in the main, highlight the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his administration’s strong commitment and dedication to sustainable peace, security, stability, socio-economic growth and development of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

“I am most grateful to President Tinubu for his massive support to the PAP, particularly his gracious approval of my recent proposal to set up a Rehabilitation Unit in the programme, a vital component which was not in place before now. This will help cater to related aspects of the programme’s mandate.

“I urge all stakeholders and the people of the Niger Delta to continue to support President Tinubu and work resolutely with his administration to do more for the region, even in the coming years. He will not fail the region, I assure you.”

Otuaro also extended his profound appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, “for his encouragement and flawless supervision of the programme, which have led to the success stories recorded by the programme under my leadership.”

He encouraged the participants to participate and engage actively in the strategic training, and take valuable lessons away that would “guide your conduct and approach to resolving issues and disputes that may arise around you or within your spheres of influence in the interest of the Niger Delta and the country.”

“Therefore, this strategic workshop is a platform designed to sharpen your leadership skills and deepen your understanding of the essence of conflict resolution and mediation, to bring about peace and development in our communities and region in the implementation of the PAP’s mandate,” Otuaro added.

News

NiMet Predicts Three-day Rain, Thunderstorms From Monday

Published

13 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

News

JUST IN: Ooni Visits Olubadan-designate Ladoja In Ibadan

Published

18 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Olubadan designate, Rashidi Ladoja, at his Bodija private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PUNCH reports that Oba Ladoja will be installed as the 44th Olubadan on Friday, September 26, 2025, following the demise of the 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who joined his ancestors on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the age of 90 years.

The two paramount rulers are currently exchanging pleasantries.

Details later…

News

JUST IN: FG Revokes 1,263 Mineral Licenses Over Unpaid Fees

Published

18 hours ago

September 21, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has announced a fresh revocation of not less than 1,263 mineral licenses.

These licenses, which will now be deleted from the Electronic Mining Cadastral System portal of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.

The minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, gave the revocation announcement in a statement issued by his special assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister explained that the directive was issued due to the companies’ failure to comply with the requirement of paying their annual service fees.

The latest revocation brings the total mineral titles revoked under the current administration to 3, 794 including,619 mineral titles revoked for defaulting in paying annual service fees and 912 for dormancy last year.

By opening up the areas formerly covered by these licenses, the revocation is expected to spur fresh applications by investors looking for fresh opportunities.

The statement read, “Not less than 1,263 mineral licenses will be deleted from the portal of the Electronic Mining Cadastral system of the Nigerian Mining Cadastral Office, MCO, following their revocation by the Federal Government.

“These include 584 exploration licenses, 65 mining leases, 144 quarry licenses, and 470 small-scale mining leases.”

Approving the revocation following the recommendation of the MCO, the Minister said applying the law to keep speculators and unserious investors away from the mining sector would make way for diligent investors and grow the sector.

“The era of obtaining licences and keeping them in drawers for the highest bidder, while financially capable and industrious businessmen are complaining of access to good sites, is over.

“The annual service fee is the minimum evidence that you are interested in mining. You don’t have to wait for us to revoke the license because the law allows you to return the license if you change your mind,” the minister said.

He warned that the revocation does not mean the Federal Government has pardoned the annual service debt owed by licensees, adding that the list will be forwarded to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission to ensure that debtors pay or face the wrath of the law.

“This is to encourage due diligence and emphasise the consequences of inundating the license application processes with speculative activities.”

In the recommendation to the minister, the Director-General of the MCO, Simon Nkom, disclosed that there were 1,957 initial defaulters when the MCO published the intention to revoke licences in the Federal Government Gazette on June 19, 2025.

He informed the minister that the gazette was distributed to MCO offices nationwide to sensitise licencees and encourage them to comply within 30 days in compliance with the Minerals and Mining Act 2007 and relevant regulations.

He observed that the delay in the final recommendation was due to complaints of several licensees who claimed to have paid to the Federal Government through Remita and had to be reconciled.

Earlier this month, the DG MCO had hinted that more mining licences would be revoked as part of ongoing efforts to sanitise the solid minerals sector and protect investors from fraudsters.

According to Nkom, the clean-up exercise, which covers expired, speculative, and inactive titles, is necessary to make room for genuine investors and ensure compliance with the law.

This is part of ongoing efforts at sanitising the sector since the inception of the Tinubu administration, and the salutary effects of the reforms are massive and manifest despite the attempts to push back by defaulters and their agents.