The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dennis Otuaro, has congratulated the newly inaugurated leadership of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, expressing optimism that the new executive would deepen unity and development within the Ijaw nation.
Otuaro spoke during the official inauguration of the new INC Executive Council held at Chief Tunde Smooth Playground, opposite the NIMASA office in Warri, Delta State.
At the ceremony, the outgoing INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, formally handed over leadership of the organisation to Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei, who emerged as the ninth president of the apex Ijaw body.
The PAP administrator attended the event alongside prominent Niger Delta leader and businessman, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Speaking after the inauguration, Otuaro described the transition as significant for the unity and peaceful coexistence of the Ijaw people.
“As a proud Ijaw son from Gbaramatu, I am very happy to witness and celebrate the handover of power from the Professor Okaba-led leadership to the Barrister Igbadiwei-led executives,” he said.
He commended the outgoing leadership for its contributions to the progress of the Ijaw nation and expressed confidence that the new executive would build on existing achievements.
Otuaro also pledged continued collaboration between the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the INC in advancing development across the Niger Delta region.
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The new INC leadership began its tenure with the donation of seven brand-new vehicles, including three Toyota Coaster buses for the organisation’s zonal structures and four Toyota Hiace buses for local chapters.
Meanwhile, earlier in Abuja, Otuaro approved the deployment of an additional 15 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
The beneficiaries are expected to pursue Master’s degree programmes in fields including biomedical science, oil and gas engineering, data science, cyber security, software engineering, automotive engineering, and communication culture and media studies.
Addressing the scholars during a pre-departure briefing at the PAP headquarters, Otuaro said the beneficiaries earned the opportunity through outstanding academic performance, particularly first-class honours in their undergraduate studies.
He attributed the successes recorded by the PAP in scholarship deployment and human capital development to the support of President Bola Tinubu and the supervision of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
He urged the students to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and the Niger Delta while abroad.
“Do your best, earn excellent grades, and return home after your studies to join hands in building Nigeria by advancing peace and development in our communities,” he said.
Each of the scholars was also presented with a brand-new laptop and other study support materials to aid their academic pursuits.
