By Clementina Wewele
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty program (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro has declared that the Amnesty Programmme must reflect the broader struggles of the Niger Delta people.
He made the declaration at the Palace of the Ovie of Idjerhe kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, when he visited the Ovie, HRM King Obukohwo Whiskey.
Otuaro emphasized that the original purpose of amnesty initiative goes beyond disarmament “The idea behind the Presidential Amnesty Programme is national security and human development, though the primary target is on those who dropped arms.
“The Programme recognizes that everybody in the Niger Delta is a victim of the agitation” he stated.
Otuaro who is also the son of Idjerhe kingdom, highlighted the progress made under his leadership with the help of Mr President despite financial challenges.
While underscoring a new era of inclusiveness, Otuaro pledged that the Programme would be accessible to all that were affected by the region’s long-standing crisis .
He stated that one of the key achievements they have made under the Programme was the sharp rise in educational support where they increased the number of university students from 180 last year to 3,170, and also revived the foreign scholarship scheme because the people demanded for it.
In response, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom praised Otuaro’s leadership for reigniting the trust of the people, saying that the Niger Delta people were not only impressed with him but they are watching his steps and are ready to walk with him.
While reiterating that it was Otuaro’s era that people could walk into the Amnesty office and see one of their own, someone who understands the weight of the past and the hope of the future, the Ovie commended the Federal Government’s choice of a Coordinator.
HRM Obukohwo noted that the hospital built by the Federal Government in the Kingdom over twenty-seven years ago as a result of the fire disaster that claimed over a thousand lives is now abandoned appealing that the hospital should not be left to rot.
The Monarch pleaded for urgent intervention, urging Otuaro to champion the call for its revival.
HRM Obukohwo advised the amnesty Coordinator to focused more on human capital development, assuring him of their support and cooperation in any area he may need their assistance.
The royal visit was attended by several traditional rulers, including HRM Prof. W.O. Oharisi III of Ughelli, HRM Noble Eshemitan Orefe III of Oghara kingdom, HRM Sunday Okpurhe Uduaka I of Mosogar, and other monarchs from Ogor, Agbarah-Warri, and Aravwarien Kingdoms.