A CALL FOR SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME UNDER CHIEF DENNIS BRUTU OTUARO PhD AS ADMINISTRATOR

We write as critical stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region. Ijaw means the truth and we must at all times stand by the truth without fear or favour. We are making this urgent call because we are highly disturbed about our quick moves to condemn and pull down our children in the public offices. The time has come for us, as a people, to rally together and build a stronger and more united Ijaw nation. Today, we have an important opportunity before us, one that holds great promise for our future: the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the capable leadership of the Administrator, High Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD. It is in this spirit of unity and progress that we, the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), write to you with a message of hope, encouragement, and, most importantly, a call for support.

SUPPORT FOR OTUARO’s REFORMS AND QUALITY LEADERSHIP

The PAP which was initiated by late president Umaru Yar’adua in 2009 was designed to bring sustainable peace, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Niger Delta ex-agitators, in a view of addressing the long-standing challenges faced by our people. The leadership of High Chief Dennis Otuaro PhD presents us with a renewed opportunity to make these objectives a reality. We must not allow the mistakes of the past or individual interests to derail the progress of the programme under Dr Otuaro. Rather, we should all support the Administrator in his efforts to uphold the core goals of disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

It is time for us to move beyond the negative narratives and build a future where every Ijaw youth can thrive. By working together, we can ensure that the programme remains focused on sustainable economic development and empowerment. We must encourage Chief Otuaro to continue creating opportunities for vocational training, sponsored educational scholarship, and entrepreneurship for our people. This is not only for the ex-agitators but for the entire Ijaw community and by extension, the Niger-Delta.

However, our analysis and observations from a very professional angle showed that Dr Otuaro is barely eighty months in the amnesty office being appointed in March 2024, and that it is just too early for anyone to question his performance. Except someone has premeditated sentiments against him, Otuaro has brought some good reforms and initiatives to advance the amnesty programme. It would interest anyone who cares to know that Dr Otuaro restored the suspended foreign scholarship programme, vocational training and reinstating the suspended multiple BVN accounts of affected ex-agitators, we think this should be commended.

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Furthermore, we are aware of the painstaking efforts of Dr Otuaro of engaging every stakeholder in the Niger Delta. With just a few times in office, he has held two (2) comprehensive stakeholders meeting, gathering critical stakeholders in the region, including traditional rulers, women and youth leaders and coupled with expanded individual stakeholders’ engagement across the region. This should convince any progressive mind that Dr Otuaro means well for Niger Delta region and Beneficiaries of the amnesty programme.

In advancing sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, Dr. Otuaro has emphasised the need for expanding the Amnesty Programme to accommodate some aggrieved interests, and as we speak, we have verified information that the PAP office has received thousands of applications seeking to be included in the vocational training and educational scholarship scheme, and third phase camp leaders have also started submitting lists of their boys who were omitted during the disbarment process. We think this is a demonstration of capacity and readiness to serve and make things better for his people.

We wish to state unequivocally that as a people, our criticism should be devoid of personal interests and bias but be based on proper analysis of performance and general concerns of community development.

THE ROLE OF THE IJAW PUBLISHERS’ FORUM (IPF) AS INTELLECTUAL ARM OF IJAW NATION

One of the primary objectives of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum is to “Rewrite the Ijaw Story.” As representatives of the Publishers, Editors-in-Chief and media practitioners of the Ijaw nation, we are committed to supporting the Genuine Ijaw Cause and backing any Ijaw visionary leader in a position of authority who is ready to provide quality representation to our people. We believe that telling our story accurately and positively is crucial to changing the wrong narratives about our people and fostering development in our communities.

It is crucial to clarify that the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum is not a political organisation; rather, we pride ourselves as the conscience of the Ijaw nation. Our goal is to be the voice of reason and unity for our people. We write this open letter in a bid to put an end to the rumblings and divisions that have arisen from different angles, most especially from our own Ijaw brothers and sisters. We must prioritise the general interest of the Ijaw nation and, by extension, the Niger Delta region.

We cannot afford to let internal conflicts weaken us or divert attention from the pressing needs of our communities. It is imperative that we come together to support any genuine efforts towards any sustainable peace and development in Niger Delta. As a united people, we will achieve more than we could as divided factions. This is why we appeal for collective responsibility and urge everyone to put the interests of the Ijaw nation above all personal interests and sentiments.

THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INCLUSIVENESS

To make the PAP truly impactful, we need to advocate for transparency and accountability in the administration of the programme. We must call on our leaders, vendors, and contractors to ensure that the distribution of resources is fair and reaches the people who need it most. However, while we advocate for these ideals, we must also avoid pulling down those who are working towards them. The “bring him down” syndrome has harmed our progress for too long. It is time we collectively put an end to it.

We should also push for inclusiveness, where more affected communities, beyond just the beneficiaries listed in the program’s early stages, are considered. The success of the PAP will benefit not just the ex-agitators but all communities impacted by the struggles. Let us encourage projects that will provide healthcare, education, and infrastructure for the broader Ijaw nation.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING IJAW REPRESENTATIVES

As the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, we want to assure the Ijaw nation that we will be the first to bring to the attention of Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro or any other Ijaw representative of the feelings and concerns of our people. It is our duty to serve as a bridge between the leaders and the people, ensuring that voices are heard and that feedback is acted upon. We do this out of our dedication to the Ijaw cause and not for any personal gain.

ADDRESSING YOUTH RESTIVENESS AND CREATING JOBS

The challenge of youth unemployment is real, and addressing it, is key to lasting peace. Chief Otuaro’s administration is focused on creating opportunities for our youth, and we must all lend our voices and efforts to support initiatives that will curb restiveness. It is not enough to train young people; there must be job creation and business opportunities as well. We should all take it upon ourselves to support this administration’s efforts to engage companies and organisations for job creation and partnership opportunities.

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UNITY IS OUR STRENGTH

Ijaw sons and daughters, one of the major challenges that has plagued our people is the lack of unity and the failure to stand as our brother’s keeper. It is time to put an end to this division. We cannot continue to tear down those among us who rise to positions of leadership. Let us support Chief Dennis Otuaro wholeheartedly and give him the chance to succeed. His success is not for him alone but a success for the entire Ijaw nation.

Every Ijaw person has a role to play. We must actively participate in dialogues and ensure that the peace initiatives being implemented are supported. It is our duty to engage in positive discourse and avoid actions that can undermine the efforts being made for the betterment of our people.

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIVITY

The future of the Ijaw nation rests on our collective actions today. If we fail to support the leadership of the PAP, we have succeeded not only jeopardising the program’s potentials but also the dreams of countless young men and women who look up to us for hope and direction. This is a time for us to stand together, to rise above individual differences, and to work towards a common goal: the development of our land and the prosperity of our people.

Let us remember the sacrifices of our forebears and honour their legacy by being united in our pursuit of progress. Our strength lies in our unity, and our success depends on our willingness to be our brother’s keeper. We must embrace the principles of love, support, and solidarity.

Finally, the time for change is now. Let us reject the “pull him down” syndrome and instead embrace the spirit of brotherhood and unity. High Chief Dennis Otuaro is one of us, and his success is our success. We must support him in every way possible and ensure that the Presidential Amnesty Programme fulfils its mission for the good of the Ijaw nation.

The Ijaw Publishers Forum is committed to amplifying our voices and rendering constructive criticism where necessary in our quest to retell the Ijaw story.
Together, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. Let us stand as one and give our support to the Administrator of the PAP. It is not just a program—it is a promise to our people, a promise of hope, and a promise of a better tomorrow.

Long Live the Ijaw Nation!
Yours in the struggle for progress,

Comrade Austin Ozobo
President

Comrade Tare Magbei
General Secretary