News

Presidential Amnesty Scholarship Student Bags First Class In Law

Published

1 year ago

September 11, 2024

A student on the scholarship scheme of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Kemien Egbekun, has graduated with a CGPA of 4.77 (first class degree) in Law at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), Agbara-Otor, Delta State.

Two other students sponsored by the PAP, Oladapo Damilola and Toikumo Prosper, also made a second-class upper-division grade in Law at the same MCIU.

They all participated in the university’s 6th convocation ceremony on September 6, 2024.

No fewer than 60 students sponsored by the PAP made first class in different competitive disciplines between 2016 and 2023 at various partnering universities as confirmed by the Head of Education, Dr Charles Ariye.

The disciplines include electrical/electronics engineering, computer science, civil engineering, accounting, law, petroleum engineering, physics, international relations, chemistry, biochemistry, political science, medical laboratory science, microbiology, industrial chemistry, among others.

Though the scorecard for 2024 is being awaited from the various institutions, Egbekun and her colleagues have by their laudable academic achievements, added to the constantly growing number of the PAP scholarship scheme beneficiaries who had scored similar excellent grades in various courses of study at partnering institutions.

Meanwhile, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed delight over the sterling academic performances of students sponsored by the Programme.

He spoke on the heels of the meritorious academic feats of the Arogbo-Ijaw-born Egbekun and others, according to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Wednesday.

Otuaro said his administration was encouraged by the quality of academic grades achieved by the PAP scholarship students, which had become a part of the success stories of the programme in the advancement of human capital development in the Niger Delta.

He stressed that their creditable academic performances were a testament to the well-intentioned educational objectives of the scholarship scheme and the mandate of the PAP for the region.

Otuaro commended the PAP graduates for recording first-class and second-class upper-division grades in their disciplines, noting that they had made the Federal Government, the PAP Office, their communities and the region proud.

He challenged current PAP scholarship students in the various partnering institutions to be spurred on by the admirable grades made by their predecessors to maintain the commendable trajectory.

The PAP boss attributed the worthy academic feats of PAP scholarship graduates to President Bola Tinubu’s strong support for the Office.

He stressed that it conforms with his Renewed Hope Agenda of sustainable, peace, stability and development in the region.

He therefore thanked the president for his fatherly encouragement to the Office and his willingness to do more due to his genuine love for the people of the Niger Delta.

Otuaro said his administration was taking steps to ensure that more scholarship opportunities were created for deserving students.

He stated, “We are elated by the fantastic academic performances of the Presidential Amnesty Programme scholarship scheme students. Achieving such impressive grades as first-class and second-class upper division is no mean academic feat.

“These achievements reinforce the fact that the PAP is on the right track implementing its mandate. We are delighted and encouraged by this fact, and are taking appropriate steps to deepen efforts at achieving more in educational and vocational initiatives.

“We must thank President Bola Tinubu for his strong support for the programme and the undying love he has for the people of the Niger Delta through his Renewed Hope Agenda. He is committed to sustainable peace, stability and development in the region. He needs to be appreciated and encouraged also.”

Related Topics:PAP Presidential Amnesty Schorlarship

Up Next

[JUST IN] Edo Poll: Drama As PDP Declines Signing Of Peace Accord

Don't Miss

Army Lauds Tantita, Tompolo For Donating Accommodation Blocks To 3 Battalion

Comments

News

JUST IN: Okpebholo Assigns Portfolios To Commissioners, Makes Major Reshuffle

Published

38 minutes ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government has announced a sweeping restructuring of its ministries as part of a comprehensive reform aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency and aligning with the Federal Government’s structure.

In an official statement released by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, it was disclosed that Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reorganization to ensure that his administration’s SHINE Agenda aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

As part of the restructuring, new ministries have been created while some previously defunct ones have been revived, bringing the total number of ministries in Edo State to twenty-eight (28).

According to the statement, the reform is designed to strengthen governance, improve coordination across key sectors, and boost the government’s capacity to deliver effectively on its mandate to the people of Edo State.

Below is the list of approved ministries and their respective commissioners:

Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy – Pending

Ministry of Works – Hon. (Dr.) Felix Ehiguese Akhabue

Ministry of Mining – Hon. Andrew Ijegbai

Ministry of Information and Strategy – Prince Kassim Afegbua

Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs – Hon. Paul Nosayaba Ohonbamu

Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment – Omoh Anabor

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security – Dr. Jerry Uwangue, FCISM

Ministry of Livestock Development – Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponwosa

Ministry of Environment and Sustainability – Hon. (Barr.) Nosa T. Adams

Ministry of Health – Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole

Ministry of Education – Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu

Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development – Dr. Lucky Eseigbe

Ministry of Lands and Housing – Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, JP

Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy – Ohimai Ehijimetor

Ministry of Science and Technology – Hon. Etin-Osa Ogbeiwi

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation – Dr. Washington Osa Osifo

Ministry of Youth Affairs – Hon. Charity Amayaenvbo

Ministry of Women Affairs – Eugenia Abdallah

Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation – Barr. Marie Olabisi Idaomi

Ministry of Power – Barr. Usenbo Paul Ehigie

Ministry of Oil and Gas Resources – Barr. Vincent Osas Uwadiae

Ministry of Finance – Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor

Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning – Dr. Elizabeth Ebosele

Ministry of Transportation – Hon. Saturday Uwuilekhue Idehen (JP)

Ministry of Justice – Prof. Roland Itoya Otaru, SAN

Ministry of Labour and Productivity – Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi

Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. (Barr.) Kenneth Okoruwa Ihensekhien

Ministry of Public Security and Safety – Hon. Ebea Festus Odianosen

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, economic transformation, institutional efficiency, and inclusive development, stressing that the reforms reflect his vision of building a more responsive and people-centered government.

News

Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

Published

52 minutes ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (BASUBEB), has decried the low turnout at a capacity building exercise for teachers and stakeholders in the state.

The training exercise is being organised in collaboration between the board and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Inaugurating the exercise on Tuesday in Bauchi, SUBEB Chairman, Adamu Mohammed, said about 130 head-teachers; principals, planning and statistics officers were expected to attend the three-day training programme.

Mohammed frowned at the low number of the participants attending the exercise, and vowed to sanction defaulters.

“I’m not happy to see the number of you around now. Ordinarily, you are not more than 70 now. I don’t know exactly what happened. Is it that you are not interested or what?

“Unfortunately; you are not ready for this training. Out of the130 participants, see the number of you present here.

“This is very discouraging. I’m not happy with this number and I don’t think I’m going to pay allowances for 130 participants. I will not, call me whichever name but I’m embarrassed,” he said.

He, however, commended the participants present and instructors, calling for more support in future endeavours.

According to Mohammed, the training exercise aims to keep the teachers abreast and technically oriented to enable them to deliver towards repositioning the basic education level.

He said that such exercise was paramount at the basic level of education – a starting point where one could either have a good education system or a bad one.

Prof. Lawan Abdulhamid, a training facilitator, said the training aimed to build teachers’ confidence and competence in using technology.

He said that it also aimed to bridge the digital divide across schools, enhance learning experiences through interactive digital tools, and strengthen teachers as digital educators and innovators.

Abdulamid is an official of the WITS School of Education, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He urged the Nigerian government to develop a control mechanisms on application of the Artificial Intelligence (AI), to check excesses and abuse, particularly in the education sector.

The don also warned teachers and other educators to be wary of the AI, and encouraged them to develop lesson notes/plans, to guard against generating wrong information capable of jeopardising the essence of sourcing materials for teaching.

News

Better Days Ahead, New Bendel Insurance Coach Assures

Published

1 hour ago

October 14, 2025

Editor

New coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club, Benin, Coach Kennedy Boboye, on Tuesday assured management and Supporters Club of the Benin Arsenal that things will change for good.

Boboye spoke at his official unveiling as the new coach of the Benin Arsenal which was held at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia Studium, Benin City.

The new Head Coach, who solicited for cooperation and support from both the management, players and supporters of the club, said with this, he would bring his expertise in football management to bear, and make sure the football club took its position in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Amadin Enabulele, expressed optimism that, going by the track records of the new coach, the Benin Arsenal would experience the needed change.

“This coach is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to succeed in this league, and he brings with him a mindset that aligns perfectly with the ambition we have for this football club,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Bendel Insurance Football Club, Jarrett Tenebe, said though he’s not satisfied with the current position of the football club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, this new coach would restore the lost glory.

Bendel Insurance is in the 19th position of the league with six points.