Harry Archie
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has called for greater funding and wider coverage of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to enable more youths in the Niger Delta to benefit.
The IYC President, Dr Doubra Collins Okotete, made the call during a courtesy visit by the council’s National Executive Council to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
Okotete commended Otuaro for his leadership and the impact of the programme on young people in the Niger Delta, especially in the areas of education, skills acquisition and empowerment.
He said the programme had given thousands of young people opportunities to study and receive vocational training within and outside Nigeria.
He also noted that many beneficiaries depend on the monthly stipends provided under the programme.
However, the IYC President said many young people in the Niger Delta were still waiting for opportunities and called for increased funding to expand the programme.
“We believe there is a need for greater funding and improved budgetary provisions to enable the programme to reach more Niger Delta youths,” Okotete said.
He also said protests by PAP beneficiaries had reduced since Otuaro took over as administrator, adding that scholarship beneficiaries, contractors and others were now more confident of receiving their payments on time.
Okotete said the IYC was ready to work closely with PAP to ensure that more young people were included in the programme and given opportunities to acquire skills, create wealth and contribute to the development of the region.
Responding, Otuaro described the IYC as an important partner in the development of the Niger Delta and urged the group to continue offering constructive criticism and useful suggestions.
He disclosed that about 10,000 Niger Delta youths had benefited from educational opportunities under his administration.
According to him, about 8,700 beneficiaries are studying for first degrees in universities across Nigeria, while about 1,300 are pursuing Master’s and PhD programmes in institutions in the United Kingdom.
Otuaro also said 150 beneficiaries — including 50 First Class graduates and 100 Second Class Upper graduates — were scheduled to begin Master’s degree programmes after their pre-departure arrangements on August 20.
The PAP administrator also praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for efforts to maintain peace and stability in the South-South region.
According to him, oil theft and illegal oil bunkering had reduced, contributing to less environmental damage in the region.
The IYC, however, said it would continue working with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and other stakeholders to ensure that more Niger Delta youths benefit from the initiative.
