News

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

Published

11 months 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

Edo To Immortalise Late IGP Solomon Arase

Published

5 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Government is set to immortalise the late Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, who is an indigene of the state.

Governor of the state, Monday Okpebhole, disclosed this on Saturday while receiving the body of the late Arase at the Benin Airport.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gani Audu, Okpebholo described late Arase as “one of the finesse police officers and lawyers we have in Edo State,’ adding that “losing him at this time that the Nigeria Police Force and the country in general need him is not good for us”.

“As a State Government, we will work with the family to see how we can Immortalize him. He was a great son of Edo State.

“It is very painful to the government and people of Edo State but we are consoled with the good life he lived”.

Okpebholo described Arase as a team player and a man that was always willing to help.

“It is painful that we lost somebody who always listens to every complaint and tries as much as possible to solve them”.

He, however, prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss, assuring that the government will do all that it can to support his family.

News

Edo Activist In Police Net Over Alleged Assault On Abure

Published

7 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Edo-based activist, Precious Oruche, popularly known as “Mama Pee”, has been detained following a heated confrontation with the factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, at the Abuja Airport.

The incident, which had since gone viral, had sparked controversy and conflicting accounts from both parties.

According to reports, the saga began at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where Mama Pee allegedly confronted Abure as he prepared to board a Max Air flight to Benin.

Eyewitness accounts said the activist approached Abure and accused him of being responsible for the hardships Nigerians are currently facing.

“Is this not Julius Abure? You’re the one frustrating Nigerians,” she reportedly told Abure in a confrontational manner.

Abure was responding by saying ‘how can…’ when Mama Pee interjected, saying, “In case nobody has told you, you’re the one frustrating Nigerians. Are you not Julius Abure? What are you now doing with Labour Party? Police are looking for you. You’ve destroyed the Labour Party, and you’re entering an aeroplane? May God punish all of you.”

Arriving at the Benin Airport, things took a more violent dimension as Mama Pee was allegedly attacked by a group of young men believed to be thugs loyal to Abure.

A video circulating online shows a scuffle at the airport’s exit, with several individuals attempting to drag the activist, before security and immigration officials stepped in.

Speaking in one of the video recordings, Mama Pee claimed she was assaulted by the group.

“Look at them oh!!! See them oh!!! They want to beat me after I told Julius Abure that he is the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians, and then he brought thugs. He brought thugs to harass me. Look at them, can you see them,” she exclaimed.

She further alleged, “I saw Julius Abure of Labour Party inside the Max Air, and I told him that you are the one frustrating the lives of Nigerians. You sold Labour Party, and then he called his thugs to wait for me at the airport in Benin.”

Another activist, Peter Akah—widely known as ‘Peter for Nigeria’—released a video calling for Mama Pee’s immediate release.

He appealed to Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika to intervene.

Akah argued that the activist, who he described as a victim of political violence, had been wrongly turned into a suspect by the police.

Meanwhile, the Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has issued its own version of events, condemning what it termed an “unwarranted attack” on their chairman.

In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party claimed Mama Pee accosted Abure at the Abuja airport in an unprovoked manner while he was boarding his flight to Benin.

“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene,” Ifoh stated.

He added that Abure had to be quickly escorted to safety by security agents, while the activist was handed over to police for questioning.

The statement further alleged that Mama Pee, who is described as a known figure in the ‘Obidient’ Movement, bragged in one of her videos about her connections to top police officers.

“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party,’” Ifoh said.

He called for a thorough probe, just as he urged the Inspector General of Police to look into what they termed cyberbullying and political provocation.

As of the time of filing this report, attempts to get a comment from the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu, were unsuccessful as calls were neither answered nor returned.

News

Educationist Gets Guinness World Record For Largest Teachers’ Gathering

Published

8 hours ago

September 27, 2025

Editor

Nigerian teacher and education advocate, Mr Seyi Anifowose, has officially entered the Guinness World Records for convening the largest gathering of teachers in history, a feat achieved at the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2025” held on September 20 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

A statement by 1 Million Teachers on Friday said the confirmation was announced via a Zoom call on Wednesday, September 23, by Rishi Nath, a representative of Guinness World Records.

Nath commended Anifowose and his team for drawing global attention to an issue that, according to him, “should be on the front burner of policy and dialogue nationally.”

The record-setting event, powered by 1 Million Teachers, drew an unprecedented number of educators from across Nigeria.

Organisers had projected attendance of 60,000 teachers, underscoring both the scale of the mobilisation and the urgency of the message: that Nigerian teachers deserve greater recognition, welfare, and policy support.

“This is more than a number. It is proof that teachers matter. It is a victory for education, and it is a victory for Nigeria,” said Anifowose.

He explained that the choice of Tafawa Balewa Square carried symbolic weight. He said, “It was the same ground where Nigeria declared independence in 1960, and its use for the conference marks another proud national moment—this time celebrating those who build nations in classrooms.”

Anifowose admitted that achieving the milestone was not without challenges.

“This is not just about breaking a record. It is about resilience. Teachers stood in the rain, braved the sun, and endured long verification lines but refused to back down just to achieve this record,” he noted.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for hosting the event and to his home-state governor, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, for his encouragement.

He also thanked teacher unions and education agencies at both state and federal levels for their support in ensuring the conference’s success.

Beyond the record, Anifowose emphasised that the next phase would focus on policy advocacy. He revealed plans to engage the National Assembly on reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s education system and boosting teachers’ welfare.

Nigeria’s education sector has long grappled with underfunding, poor infrastructure, and low teacher morale.

According to UNESCO, the country faces one of the world’s most severe teacher shortages, with many classrooms overcrowded and educators underpaid.

Stakeholders have repeatedly called for reforms to strengthen the sector, improve teacher training, and make the profession attractive to younger generations.

By securing this world record, Anifowose hopes to transform symbolic recognition into tangible change for teachers nationwide.

(PUNCH)