The President of the apex Ijaw sociocultural organisation in Nigeria, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for appointing High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, while describing the current amnesty boss as "a round peg in a round hole."

Prof. Okaba commendations, as contained in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator Mr Igoniko Oduma, were made when he led a delegation of the INC on an official visit to Dr. Otuaro at the PAP's office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Prof. Okaba, who congratulated Otuaro on his appointment as PAP Administrator, declared that the leadership of the INC and the entire Ijaw nation are proud of him over the laudable performance recorded by the PAP boss since assuming office in March, 2024, particularly in ensuring a paradigm shift in the programme.

The INC chief thanked President Tinubu for appointing Dr. Otuaro, and expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Ribadu, for having confidence in the capacity and ability of the PAP boss to deliver on the mandate of the programme, noting that the gesture underscored the attempt at addressing the concerns of the Ijaw nation.

Prof. Okaba said, "When we heard that you are the one appointed to this highly exalted position, we felt very happy. Today, it is to familiarise ourselves and to understand the terrain. We want to say that you have started very well. We have seen the paradigm shift in many areas. We want to appreciate you. Ijaw people are talking well about you; you are a very pragmatic person, an engager and somebody who is not pursued by problems. Rather, when they come, you confront them frontally.

"We like to take this opportunity to really appreciate the President, Bola Tinubu, for your appointment. And only yesterday, a daughter of Ijaw Nation was also appointed as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The Ijaw issues of marginalisation, exploitation and underdevelopment etc, are receiving a much-needed attention," the INC President affirmed.

Speaking further he said, "Also, we thank the National Security Adviser for the confidence he has in you. In any opportunity we have, we shall impress it upon him that you are a round peg in a round hole. You are a product of the Ijaw struggle for self-determination; not a stranger to the Ijaw problems.

“You can interpret those salient points of Ijaw agitation, and you understand the peculiarities of this engagement. You understand your assignment and Ijaw nation is waiting. You are already doing very well, you have our prayers and support," he declared.

Responding, the PAP Administrator thanked the INC for the visit and called for unity among the Ijaw people, while assuring the INC leadership that he would not be carried away by the Office or disappoint the Ijaw nation, but that he would work hard to promote President Tinubu's strong will for the sustainable development, peace and security of the Niger Delta.

Dr. Otuaro, who stated that he was poised to make the Programme better by bringing to bear innovations and transparency, also revealed that his administration would increase the number of scholarship students from the current 275 it inherited in the 2023/2024 academic session across various partnering universities in the country.

The Amnesty Boss also informed the INC that the Office had designed a scheme to empower not less than 1000 Niger Delta people in the vocational sector, in the months ahead, assuring them that he would always do the right things.

The PAP boss said, "I will not be carried away on this assignment. I will make sure that as an Ijaw man, I will not disappoint the Ijaw National Congress. The INC is the umbrella voice of the Ijaw people. I will not work at cross-purposes with the aspirations of our Niger Delta Delta people.

"In doing that, I will also make sure that I promote the strong will Mr President has towards the development of the Niger Delta. As a people, it is when we are united and support the aspirations of our people, that Mr President will even listen to us. We need to work together.

"I will always do the right things here; make sure this programme under this administration focuses on empowerment of our youths through formal and informal education. I will not use backdoor to do something that is worth doing," he stressed.

IMAGE: L-R-: Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Edgar Biu; Prof. Steve Azaiki; President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro; Secretary of INC, Ebipamowei Wodu; Philip Agu (Treasurer; and Kennedy Odiowei (Financial Secretary) during a familiarisation visit by the INC to PAP Office in Abuja on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

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