The Presidential Amnesty Programme, on Thursday, sent an additional batch of 15 foreign scholarship beneficiaries for post-graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

In a statement, Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator said the scholars will undertake master’s degree programmes in biomedical science, oil & gas engineering, data science, cyber security, software engineering, automotive engineering, communication culture and media, among others.

Speaking at the pre-departure briefing for the beneficiaries held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, the first leg of May 2026 deployments, the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, said that many of them merited the scholarship because they made a first-class grade in their first degree programmes.

At the event, each of the scholars was given a laptop to enhance their academic studies.

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Dr Otuaro attributed the huge number of onshore and offshore scholarship deployments, and the successes recorded by the PAP, to the strong backing of President Bola Tinubu as well as the efficient supervision by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

He said that he was unapologetic over the large-scale deployments, stressing that the decision was hinged on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is truly interested in the peace and development of the Niger Delta.

According to him, the programme is building a better future for the Niger Delta as the scholarship beneficiaries will play critical roles in the advancement of the region’s development, sustainable peace and stability.

He urged them to always remember that they were sent for studies, and should be good ambassadors of Nigeria and the Niger Delta while in the UK.

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The PAP boss, while addressing the scholars, said, “All the scholarship deployments and the monumental successes we have achieved are as a result of the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the efficient supervision by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“Be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the United Kingdom, and don’t disappoint Nigeria and the Niger Delta. Do your best and return home after your studies to join hands in advancing peace and development in our communities.

“That is why we are making this effort; we are preparing you for tomorrow, so that you will be part of the process of our development and sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta. We are building a civilized, polite, educated and patriotic generation. Use this opportunity very well.

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“I am unapologetic about the large number of scholarships that we are giving to young Niger Deltans for studies within and outside the country. I believe that we are doing the best for tomorrow and there is no regret about it.”

Earlier in a presentation, the Head of Education, PAP, Dr Charles Ariye, had shared essential tips with the beneficiaries to guide them in their academic journey in the UK.

Speaking on behalf of the batch, Ikiere Victor, who is deployed for a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Coventry University, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, President Tinubu and the PAP Administrator for the opportunity given to them, pledging that they would be good ambassadors of the nation.

The defence and prosecution have closed their cases in the ongoing trial of former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, at the Southwark Crown Court in the United Kingdom, with a jury now set to deliver its verdict later this week.

Alison-Madueke is standing trial alongside oil executive Olatimbo Ayinde and her brother, Doye Agama, on a five-count charge bordering on alleged bribery. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.

British prosecutors allege that the former minister received bribes in the form of luxury items and high-value properties from oil industry actors seeking favourable treatment in the award of oil contracts during her tenure between 2010 and 2015.

The prosecution maintains that such benefits were improperly received and argues that there is no documentary evidence supporting claims of reimbursement or legitimate financial transactions backing the alleged transfers.

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In his closing submissions, defence counsel Jonathan Laidlaw accused the prosecution of failing to charge alleged bribe givers and relying on what he described as incomplete and unreliable evidence.

He questioned the handling of evidence from a 2015 raid on Alison-Madueke’s Abuja residence, alleging procedural irregularities, including the absence of key officials during the operation and lack of photographic records of items in their original locations.

Laidlaw further argued that critical documents that could support the defence case—such as records relating to reimbursements and official ministerial duties—were missing. He also faulted the prosecution’s reliance on evidence linked to Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while challenging its rejection of parts of the same material in relation to co-defendant Ayinde.

He also disputed claims that official travel and financial records relating to the former minister were unavailable, describing the prosecution’s position as inconsistent.

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Responding, lead prosecutor Alexandra Healy maintained that oil executives provided improper benefits to the former minister while their companies benefited from lucrative state contracts. She argued that such arrangements were incompatible with public office and unsupported by any documentary evidence of reimbursement.

Healy further referenced a £1 million payment linked to businessman Benedict Peters, describing the use of intermediary structures as a deliberate attempt to conceal the nature of the transaction.

She also noted that Alison-Madueke had been aware of the investigation for nearly a decade.

With both sides having completed their submissions, the jury is expected to return its verdict later this week.

Experts have warned that going to bed at different times each night, particularly during midlife, could be an early warning sign of future heart problems.

New research from the University of Oulu found a strong link between irregular bedtimes and an increased risk of major cardiovascular events, especially among people who spend less than eight hours in bed each night.

According to the study, individuals whose sleep schedules varied widely and whose time in bed was under eight hours faced roughly twice the risk of serious heart-related events compared with those who maintained more regular routines.

In contrast, irregular wake-up times did not show a clear association with cardiovascular problems.

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Major cardiovascular events examined in the study included conditions requiring specialised medical care, such as heart attack and ischaemic stroke.

The research, published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, followed 3,231 individuals born in northern Finland in 1966. Their sleep habits were monitored over a one-week period at age 46, while their health outcomes were tracked for more than a decade using healthcare register data.

Researchers measured sleep duration and timing using activity monitors that recorded how long participants remained in bed. The findings pointed to bedtime consistency as a particularly important factor for heart health.

Laura Nauha, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oulu, explained that earlier studies had already linked irregular sleep patterns to cardiovascular risks.

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However, she noted that this study is the first to show that variability in bedtime, wake-up time, and the midpoint of the sleep period are independently associated with major cardiovascular events.

According to Nauha, everyday routines play a major role in shaping long-term heart health.

“Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is one factor that most of us can influence,” she said.

“Our findings suggest that the regularity of bedtime, in particular, may be important for heart health. It reflects the rhythms of everyday life and how much they fluctuate,” Nauha added.
(Nigerian Tribune)