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Why Presidential Amnesty Programme’s Budget Should Be Reviewed Upward – IYC

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Dr. Dennis Otuaro (L), Administrator, PAP presenting a plaque to Jonathan Lokpobiri, President, IYC during the visit at the PAP Office in Abuja on Monday, October 21, 2024.

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on the Federal Government to approve more funds for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to enable it perform optimally for sustainable peace of the Niger Delta.

The IYC President, Jonathan Lokpobiri, made the call while speaking with journalists shortly after he led a delegation of the council on a courtesy visit to the Administrator of PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro in Abuja.

A statement signed by the spokesperson for the IYC, Princewill Binebai and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, quoted Lokpobiri as stating that the scope of the PAP was expanding and should no longer be run with its current budget which had remained the same for many years.

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The umbrella body of ijaw youths noted that the programme still had a lot to do to ensure continued stabilisation of the region.

READ ALSO: Ijaw Youths Network Warns Detractors To Leave PAP Boss Alone

The group also argued that the present economic realities in Nigeria and emerging challenges in the region have made it even more compelling for more funds to be appropriated for the programme.

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The council, while stating that it discovered after a careful assessment of the programme that the Dollar was exchanging for N120 when the PAP started, added that there were sufficient justifiable reasons for the government to consider strengthening the programme with additional funds.

The Ijaw youths appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Ministers of Budget and Finance as well as the leadership of the National Assembly to see the need to make more funds available for the programme.

The statement read in part, “As Ijaw Youth Council, we have done a careful assessment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the massive achievements that the programme has recorded over the years.

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READ ALSO: PAP: Remain Focused; Don’t Be Distracted By Nay Sayers, Sen. Manager Tells Otuaro

“However, our assessment showed that the Programme can no longer run effectively with its current budget because when it was conceived, the dollar was exchanging for N120.

“Today, this same Programme is still being run with the same budgetary provision of N65bn for a whole year. Currently, the dollar is exchanging for N1,700 and the funding of the programme has remained stagnant while the needs of the Programme are expanding.

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“We, as council, want to passionately appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget, the National Assembly, the Senate President and the leadership of the National Assembly to work together to improve the funding of the programme.

“There is so much that is expected from this programme because if the Niger Delta fails, Nigeria will pay more. The PAP is at the driver’s seat of sustaining the peace in the Niger Delta. So the need to expand this Programme to accommodate more people is very important at this point in time.”

Lokpobiri commended Otuaro for repositioning the PAP and “bringing the programme back to our people in the Niger Delta”.

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READ ALSO: PAP: N’Delta Groups Knock Boyloaf Secretary, Gbaboyor, Over Attack On Otuaro, Tompolo

While stressing that the administrator’s leadership role and his policy of inclusion had engendered stability in the region, Lokpobiri assured the PAP boss of the support of IYC and also thanked him for identifying with the youth body.

Responding in the statement, Otuaro reiterated his commitment to serving the people of the Niger Delta wholeheartedly as he knew the task ahead of him upon his appointment.

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The PAP boss reassured the Ijaw youths that the programme was in safe hands.

He said the PAP was at the reintegration phase which he described as critical in the implementation of the programme’s objectives, adding that his leadership understood the vital roles of stakeholders towards the sustainable peace, security and stability of the region.

While thanking the IYC for the visit, Otuaro said, “When I came into office, I knew the task ahead. I also know the roles of the Ijaw National Congress, IYC, our women and other organisations. That is why I usually say that this programme is in safe hands. This job is about our people. The office, under my leadership, also takes stakeholders engagement seriously.”

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JUST IN: Court Declares Utomi’s ‘Shadow Govt’ Unconstitutional

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, and his associates to halt their plan to establish a shadow government.

In a judgment delivered on Monday in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), the judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared that the idea of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and incompatible with the nation’s presidential system of government.

The judge held that the idea was inconsistent with the country’s presidential system and could mislead citizens.

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READ ALSO:DSS Sues Pat Utomi Over Shadow Government

He ruled that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise any parallel or alternative government outside the one it provides for.

Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people. Such a shadow government is hereby declared void,” the judge ruled.

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JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The union made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

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At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

READ ALSO:ASUU Threatens To Due JAMB Over UTME Mass Failure

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

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Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.

At the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for univer­sities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

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JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

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The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It was observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union.

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Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action.

READ ALSO:Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors.

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He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.

PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

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In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Misses Production Deadline

All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

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The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.

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