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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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 Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors across Nigeria, demanding immediate disclosure of how security votes have been spent since May 29, 2023.

In letters dated June 28, 2025, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged state governors to not only make public the details of their security vote expenditures but also to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate and monitor the funds disbursed under this opaque category of spending.

“The escalating insecurity in several states is taking a devastating toll on socially and economically vulnerable Nigerians, driving up extreme poverty, intensifying hunger, and leading to other grave human rights violations,” SERAP stated.

The organisation referenced the recent massacre in Benue State and broader national insecurity as a compelling justification for their demand.

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According to SERAP, despite billions of naira being allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing to uphold their constitutional duty to ensure the security and welfare of the people.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, SERAP emphasised that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” warning that the persistent secrecy surrounding these funds has enabled widespread misuse and undermined public trust.

“In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over N375 billion in security votes.

“Yet, insecurity continues to spiral out of control in many states, highlighting a dangerous disconnect between allocated resources and actual results.”

Security votes—typically large, discretionary funds allocated to state executives ostensibly for improving security—are widely criticised for their lack of transparency and accountability. While governments often cite national security as a reason for nondisclosure, SERAP argues there is no legal basis for hiding public spending under this guise.

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“While authorities may keep certain matters of operational secrecy from the public, there is no constitutional or legal justification for withholding basic information on how public funds are spent,” the letter read.

Referring to a landmark Supreme Court ruling, SERAP reminded governors that the Freedom of Information Act applies to all levels of government, including states.

“The judgment sends a powerful message that state governors can no longer escape accountability for how they spend security votes,” the group added.

SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days of the receipt or publication of the FoI request would prompt legal action to compel compliance.

“The public interest in publishing the information sought outweighs any considerations to withhold it,” SERAP stated. “The people have a right to know how their money is being used, especially in matters as crucial as security.”

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The group further argued that the misuse and secrecy around security votes have hindered meaningful oversight and contributed to a culture of impunity, where governors view these funds as personal entitlements rather than tools to enhance public safety.

“Years of secrecy in the spending of security votes have limited the ability of Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable,” the statement continued.

“This is a grave violation of public trust and a breach of the Nigerian Constitution, national anti-corruption laws, and international obligations,” SERAP noted.

Quoting Section 15(5) of the Constitution, SERAP reminded governors that they are mandated to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.”

It added that proper use of security votes should be directed at improving the security situation or returned to the public treasury.

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SERAP’s position came as a result of the recent assessments from international organisations.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria has been listed among 39 countries classified as being in “fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS).”

“The World Bank noted that insecurity is contributing to extreme poverty in Nigeria.

“Millions are experiencing acute food insecurity, while severe gaps in education and healthcare undermine national development,” SERAP said.

The organisation concluded by urging governors to lead a transparent and honest national dialogue about the security crisis and the real impact of security vote expenditures.

“Disclosing these details will not only build public trust but also catalyse more effective, collective responses to the worsening security challenges across the country,” SERAP stated.