The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has praised the Tinubu administration for maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. Otuaro described the prevailing calm as one of the major achievements of President Tinubu’s government since assuming office.
Otuaro gave the commendation when the Chief Executive Officer of GbaramatuVoice newspaper, Mr. Jacob Abai, led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit in Abuja. The visit was to officially brief the PAP office on the preparations for the upcoming 10th Anniversary Lecture and Niger Delta Night of Honor being organised by GbaramatuVoice. The two-day event is scheduled to hold on August 27 and 28, 2025, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking during the visit, Otuaro said the peace in the Niger Delta is a direct result of deliberate and inclusive strategies by the current administration, including engagement with stakeholders and proactive policy initiatives.
“Under the watch of Mr. President, the Niger Delta has remained peaceful. This is not by coincidence. It is a product of deliberate engagement, inclusive policies, and sustained collaboration with stakeholders across the region,” Otuaro stated.
He noted that the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was initially created to disarm, demobilise, and reintegrate ex-agitators, has now expanded into a broader human capital development programme. Otuaro explained that the peace currently enjoyed in the region has enabled the successful implementation of education, vocational training, and enterprise development initiatives targeted at ex-agitators and youths in the region.
“We have thousands of ex-agitators and Niger Delta youths who are now university graduates, skilled professionals, and successful entrepreneurs. Our scholarship and empowerment programmes have given them a second chance, and that is only possible because of the relative peace we now enjoy,” he said.
The PAP boss also commended GbaramatuVoice for its consistent advocacy and community engagement, stating that the media platform has played a vital role in amplifying government efforts and highlighting issues affecting the Niger Delta.
“GbaramatuVoice is not just a media outfit; it is a force that has consistently told our stories, amplified government efforts, and highlighted the realities of our communities. I am proud to associate with this milestone celebration and assure you of the PAP’s total support,” Otuaro said.
In his remarks, Mr. Jacob Abai expressed gratitude to Dr. Otuaro for his leadership and the PAP’s contributions to peace and development in the region. He described the upcoming 10th Anniversary celebration as a time to reflect on the achievements of the past decade and chart new paths for the Niger Delta.
“The 10th Anniversary is not just about commemorating our journey. It is a platform for dialogue, recognition, and setting new policy directions for the region,” Abai said.
He revealed that the anniversary lecture will focus on the theme, “Gaps and Silences in Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Economy: Appraisal of Resource Control, Security & Media Dynamics.” According to Abai, the event will include a high-level public lecture, a cultural night, award presentations to distinguished stakeholders, and the unveiling of a new state-of-the-art live studio that will expand the reach of GbaramatuVoice.
“Over the last ten years, we have been focused on giving voice to the region, advocating for peace, equity, and development. This celebration is about appreciating how far we’ve come and charting a course for the future,” Abai added.
The GbaramatuVoice newspaper, founded a decade ago, has become a prominent media platform covering the Niger Delta’s socio-economic, environmental, and political issues. It is widely recognised for its reporting on resource control, militancy, and developmental concerns affecting the oil-rich region.
Otuaro’s backing of the 10th Anniversary event further strengthens government-media collaboration in promoting peace, development, and policy advocacy in the Niger Delta.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, established in 2009 to address militancy and unrest in the Niger Delta, has since evolved under successive administrations. With President Tinubu’s continued support, stakeholders like Otuaro and platforms like GbaramatuVoice aim to sustain the peace and foster economic development through strategic engagements, skills empowerment, and responsible media advocacy.
