Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has applauded the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for proclaiming amnesty for former agitators of the Niger Delta and also establishing the progamme.

In a statement, Mr Igoniko Oduma,
Special Assistant on Media to the PAP boss, said Otuaro spoke at the 2nd President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Leadership Conference and Awards, organised by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success in Abuja on Saturday.

The event, which was themed: “Electoral Management Institution: Midwife of True Democracy, Development, and Prosperity,” the PAP boss was to also received a corporate service award in recognition of his efficient administration of the PAP.

Represented by his Special Assistant on Data and ICT, Monabe Mitee, Otuaro noted that Yar’Adua also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs before inaugurating the PAP as part of his response to the civic demands of the region’s people.

READ ALSO: Amnesty Boss, Otuaro, Pledges Inclusive Programme For Niger Delta Communities

The PAP boss, while describing him as ‘a selfless leader and a patriot,’ said Yar’Adua, who governed the country from May 29, 2007, to May 5, 2010, was deeply concerned about the need for guaranteed sustainable peace, stability, and development in the region.

The PAP Administrator, while paying tribute to the former Katsina State governor’s memories, extolled his exemplary and exceptional leadership as well as his high ethical and moral values in public service.

“President Yar’Adua was a listening leader, and this was evident in his response to the civic demands of the Niger Delta people.

“He not only proclaimed amnesty for the region’s freedom fighters at the time, but he also established the Presidential Amnesty Programme which I am heading today by the benevolence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and as a precursor to the programme he also created the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” Otuaro said.

READ ALSO: King Ateke Breaks Silence On Rumoured Clash With PAP Boss, Otuaro

He further said that Yar’Adua operated an efficient administration in Katsina State as a governor and left indelible development footprints with profound impacts on education and infrastructure across the state.

He said Yar’Adua had a deep understanding of the burden of leadership and brought this to bear in the governance of the country when he was elected president in 2007, ‘showing an unwavering commitment, zeal, and dedication to fix and transform Nigeria’ through his seven-point agenda.

Otuaro noted that the insight and reasons that informed the organiser’s initiative were noble, saying they had provided a platform to celebrate, honour and immortalize Yar’Adua and his legacies.

The PAP Administrator added, “He also ran a government of national unity to demonstrate his faith in a nation united by common aspirations for the attainment of national development, peace, security, progress, and shared prosperity and greatness.

“I believe that President Yar’Adua would have contributed much more of his quota to the country’s development process if his tenure had not been cut short by his protracted illness and eventual demise in office.

“He would be remembered for his selfless service. He was, indeed, a patriot!”

The Alumni Association of Mass Communication Students (AMCOS) Class of 2006, Auchi Polytechnic, has held its maiden reunion, bringing together classmates nearly two decades after graduation for a weekend of reflection, reconnection and renewal.

The three-day event, which took place from Friday to Sunday at the Millennium Grand Hotel in Benin City, Edo State, saw members of the 2006 set reconnect, network and celebrate shared memories. Attendees, now thriving as broadcasters, entrepreneurs, consultants, investment experts and communication professionals, hailed from various parts of Nigeria and abroad.

In his welcome remarks, Interim President of the association, Mr Osunde Charles, described the gathering as a “homecoming of hearts,” urging members to rekindle the bonds forged during their days at Auchi Polytechnic.

“We’re not just reconnecting with familiar faces; we’re reigniting the flames of memories, friendships and experiences that shaped us,” Osunde said.

READ ALSO: 2027: Bauchi Speaker Responds To Call To Join Guber Race

“Our alma mater moulded us into who we are today, and this gathering reminds us of the journey, the lessons, and the lives we’ve built since then.”

He also paid tribute to departed classmates, noting: “To the memories of those who have gone on before us, we remember you. You live in our hearts.”

Highlights of the reunion included a fitness walk, networking cocktail, wellness and travel expos, and lectures focusing on entrepreneurship, personal finance and healthy living.

Speaking on “Sustainable Investment Opportunities”, Mr Aigbe Omoregie advised members to embrace financial discipline, with emphasis on proper bookkeeping and business integrity. He noted that transparency and accountability remain vital for success in today’s economy.

On her part, Dr Jane Uche, Chief Executive Officer of Ariya Wellness Hub, advocated for proactive health management among alumni. She encouraged the adoption of holistic and natural healthcare approaches, especially as members advance in age.

READ ALSO:Court Remands Teacher Over Alleged Sexual Assault On 2 Pupils

Chairman of the Reunion Planning Committee, Mr Osasere Ehigiamusoe, expressed heartfelt appreciation to attendees, applauding their dedication in braving tough economic conditions to participate.

“Some of us travelled miles, even crossed the Atlantic, just to be part of this moment,” he said. “Your presence here shows that the spirit of AMCOS lives on.”

He further commended those who provided financial support to make the event a success, while urging members to build sustainable networks that offer social and economic value.

The association elected a new executive to steer its affairs for the next two years. The vote was widely regarded as a step toward formalising and strengthening the group’s presence beyond the reunion.

Attendees who spoke to the press described the reunion as both nostalgic and inspiring, with many pledging to contribute more actively to the growth and unity of the association.

As the curtain drew on the maiden reunion, members departed with renewed friendships and a shared vision — to turn nostalgia into collective strength for the future.

The Delta State Police Command has warned that indecent dressing in Delta is now a punishable offence under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, attracting a fine of N50,000 or community service.

The warning on indecent dressing in Delta was issued in a post shared via the Command’s official X handle on Saturday.

The police noted that many residents may be unaware of certain state laws, adding that it would begin a weekly sensitisation campaign to educate the public.

READ ALSO:Operatives Storm Kidnappers’ Hideout In Delta, Kill Five

“There are some laws that you don’t know the state frowns against.

“So, every weekend, we will be dropping some of these laws so that you will be aware,” the post read.

Addressing indecent dressing in Delta specifically, the Command stated: “As you no like wear cloth wey dey cover your body well, and you prefer dey waka go work, school, or anywhere with clothes wey dey show everywhere for your body, make you hear am – Delta state government nor dey smile for that kain dressing. VAAP law don ready to punish anybody wey no dress well.”

Under Section 29 of the Delta State VAPP Law, anyone who intentionally exposes their private parts, wholly or partially, in public is guilty of indecent exposure.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Recover N4m Ransom In Delta

Upon conviction, offenders may be ordered to perform community service, pay a fine not exceeding N50,000, or both.

The law, originally passed at the federal level in 2015 and domesticated in Delta State in 2020, seeks to address all forms of violence against persons in both public and private life, and to protect vulnerable groups within the state.

It states: “(1) A person who intentionally exposes any of his or her private parts wholly or partly in public commits the offence of indecent exposure.

(2) “A person who commits the offence provided for in subsection (1) of this Section is liable on conviction to perform such community service as the court may order or to pay a fine not exceeding N50,000.00 or both.”