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

Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

News

Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

20 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.