News

PAP Budget To Be Reviewed Upward, Otuaro Assures As He Meets With Ex-agitators

Published

11 months ago

September 27, 2024

Dr. Dennis Otuaro, administrator, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has assured that President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of budgetary allocation to the PAP office in the 2025 budget.

Otuaro gave the assurance in Warri on Friday when he met with ex-Niger Delta agitators spreading across phase 1, 2 and 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

INFO DAILY reports since Otuaro assumed office earlier this year, this is the second time the PAP boss would be meeting with the ex-agitators.

“I want to reassure you that Mr. President is interested in our budget review. In the 2025 budget, our budget would be reviewed upward to accommodate more persons particularly more women,” Otuaro declared.

On challenges faced by some persons in terms of receiving their monthly stipend, the PAP Administrator noted: “Many challenges such as the BVN issue faced by some persons have been resolved. And every other issue would be resolved under my leadership. Inasmuch the challenge is genuine and under the PAP coverage area, I will do everything within my power to resolve it.”

On scholarship, the PAP boss said the portal for registration was opened early this year till last month, stressing that no fewer than twenty-five thousand applications were received.

Otuaro, who said the education desk is working hard in the selection process, added that before anyone would be shortlisted for the scholarship a thorough background check would be carried out.

“As you all know, our scholarship portal opened early this year till last month. Over twenty-five thousand applied, this is a large number. But the education desk would soon commence the selection process. But before anyone would be selected, a thorough background check of the community the applicant claimed would be carried out. I am going to call the community chairman, the camp leader, and any other person that I can call for verification.

“But of course you know that we cannot leave out some persons. For instance, if an applicant scored 350 in his or her JAMB, we may not go through all these processes. Such applicants would be considered without much background check. Our people will be given the opportunity to acquire education,” he added.

On vocational training and empowerment, the PAP boss said: “We are going to review the vocational training upward. We are going to review our empowerment programme. But we are not going to give anyone a starter-pack just like that. When we identify your area of interest, we attach you to an organisation doing what you are interested in doing, and after spending like one year, we can now empower you to start your own business too.”

On the proposed October 1 nationwide protest, Otuaro urged the ex-agitators to speak to their people not to join the protest, assuring that President Tinubu is doing everything possible to address challenges in the region.

Making reference, the PAP boss disclosed that the Federal Government has awarded the East-West Road to a Chinese company, assuring that work would commence in a short while.

In response, those who spoke on behalf of the ex-agitators assured the PAP Administrator that no one from the region would join the protest because the few months spent by Tinubu is not enough to judge him in terms of performance.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.