News

Purported Leaked Document: Group Condemns Allegations Against PAP Boss, Otuaro

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2024

Group known as Ijaw Youths Network has condemned an allegations leveled against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, in a section of the media over purported leak of a document.

The IYN, in a statement on Saturday signed by the President, Frank Ebikabo, and the secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, described the allegations contained in a statement by a faceless body as ridiculous.

It wondered why a document that was released into the public space several years ago could be linked to the PAP administrator.

“We are inclined to believe that some disgruntled people are all out to destroy a personality who has made bold efforts to reposition the PAP and make it truly responsive.

“The Niger Delta is too sophisticated for a group of charlatans to mislead with misinformation.

“As a major Niger Delta stakeholder group, we condemn these tactics and the attempt to distract the very able Amnesty Boss. We commend Dr Otuaro for the various initiatives he has implemented and the high standards he has brought to the Programme. He is a round peg in a round hole and a proud Niger Delta son,” The IYN added.

The group stated that a careful assessment of the repeated accusations showed that it could only have originated from a ludicrous mind.

It maintained that the Presidential Amnesty Office was not an extension of the Department of State Services, stressing that those working round the clock to link Otuaro to any such purportedly leaked document were pursuing an agenda of mischief.

The IYN, while urging security agencies to “closely watch the peddlers of the falsehood and their dangerous activities in the region,” called on Otuaro to not be distracted by his detractors.

The statement read in part, “As concerned Ijaw youths, we listened to a tape where Mr Edmund Ebiwari, said that the document in question was released several years ago and had nothing to do with Dr Otuaro.

“Dr Otuaro as a leader is under no restriction to take photographs with any group of people in the Niger Delta. Whatever the group chooses to do with the photo is not his business. He is a public figure whose attention is given to all.

“After a thorough look at the recurring accusations, the IYN feels that the ridiculous accusations could only emanate from a ludicrous mind.

“It is a fact that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is not the custodian of confidential files of the DSS. The Presidential Amnesty Office is not an annex or extension of the DSS Office, and this cannot be controverted. It is inconceivable to think that the DSS would keep his classified documents with another agency.

“Those who have fought miserably to link the purportedly leaked document to the Presidential Amnesty Programme Administrator are heartless mischief makers who have shown themselves to be enemies of the Ijaw nation.

“The DSS, a highly reputable organization with immeasurable capacity for discreet investigation, does not need unsolicited sympathies from minions of detractors in the region.

“We call on security agencies to put a tab on this dangerous characters and their activities in the Niger Delta.

“We also call on Dr Dennis Otuaro to be focused on his mission to pilot the affairs of the PAP to greater heights. That he has started well is no news to anybody in the Niger Delta.

“He cannot afford to dissipate energy to dignify the hoodlums with attention that should go to important business of governance.

“While the IYN encourages our people to carry out constructive criticism, we advise against the tendency to pull down those in strategic positions even when they are doing excellently in their various position.

“The NCSG, a fictitious body appears to have been set up purposely to write petitions and make false claims against the person and administration of Dr Otuaro, who is turning out to be the best Amnesty administrator since the body was set up.

“In its latest rants in the media, the NCSG made several wild claims. One of these was that Dr Otuaro was responsible for the leaking of what it called confidential documents. Another was the allegation of financial malfeasance in the PAP office, and finally that Dr Otuaro was partial to his Gbaramatu community in the award of scholarships.

“Of course, the group did not supply one proof to support any of these wild and fictitious claims. And even though its claims were a rehash of past ones that have been proven to have no basis, the NCSG went ahead to circulate the lies.

“It thus appears to us that groups like the NCSG have been set up deliberately to distract the PAP Administrator by making spurious claims against him in the media. Their strategy is to repeat the lies until they stick.”

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

17 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.