In a landmark development that has ignited widespread jubilation across the Isoko Nation in Delta State, youths from the ethnic group have extended heartfelt commendations to Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). This praise stems from what they term a "historic and unprecedented" integration of Isoko youths into the non-violent phase of the PAP, marking a significant shift toward equity and inclusivity in the Niger Delta region.
The commendation was formally articulated in a statement released on behalf of Isoko youths by Comrade Eniwake Orogun, President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly (Worldwide). Orogun, a former President of the Students’ Union Government at the University of Benin, highlighted the profound gratitude felt by the community toward Otuaro for his unwavering dedication to fairness among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.
For the first time since the PAP's inception in 2009 under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Isoko youths have been fully incorporated into the programme's non-violent component. This inclusion has manifested concretely through the award of in-country scholarships to over 200 Isoko indigenes for undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the 2024/2025 academic session. This achievement represents a major breakthrough, ending years of sustained advocacy that had previously yielded little fruit for the Isoko people.
Orogun described the development as transformative, stating that under Otuaro's dynamic leadership, long-standing imbalances in the distribution of PAP benefits have been decisively addressed. Educational opportunities that were once elusive for Isoko youths are now accessible, opening doors to higher learning and future prosperity. This move aligns with the broader mandate of the PAP, which seeks to promote peace, human capital development, and sustainable growth in the oil-rich but historically marginalized Niger Delta.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme was originally established to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate former militants who accepted amnesty, transitioning them into productive citizens through education, vocational training, and empowerment initiatives. Over the years, the programme has evolved to include formal education scholarships, vocational skills acquisition, and post-training empowerment. Under Otuaro's administration, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in March 2024, there has been a deliberate expansion of these opportunities to ensure broader reach across ethnic groups, including the Isoko, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, and others.
The Isoko youths' statement also singled out Engineer Ashakah Orobosa, described as a proud son of the Isoko Nation, for his tireless advocacy and strategic engagements with the PAP leadership. His efforts, combined with Otuaro's responsive approach, were credited with playing a pivotal role in unlocking these scholarship slots. This collaboration has not only delivered tangible benefits but has also renewed faith in the PAP as an effective tool for fostering lasting peace and inclusive development.
Otuaro, a seasoned administrator with a PhD in Comparative Politics and Development Studies, brings a wealth of experience from previous roles, including high-level positions at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). His leadership has been characterized by reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and equitable distribution of resources. Recent reports indicate that the PAP has deployed thousands of scholarships onshore and offshore, with figures rising from 3,800 in-country deployments in 2024/2025 to higher numbers in subsequent sessions, alongside specialized training in fields like aviation and marine engineering.
This inclusive approach has earned Otuaro plaudits from various quarters in the Niger Delta, including ex-agitators and youth groups, who note that it helps curb restiveness by channeling energies toward education and skill acquisition. The Isoko youths emphasized that such initiatives restore confidence in federal interventions, promoting unity and reducing ethnic tensions that have occasionally plagued resource allocation in the region.
In pledging their steadfast support for Otuaro and the PAP leadership, the Isoko youths offered prayers for divine guidance, strength, and good health as he navigates the programme's challenges. They concluded their statement with a resounding affirmation: "The Isoko youths remain solidly behind you. Thank you, Sir, for your transformative leadership."
This development underscores a broader narrative of progress under the current PAP administration. By prioritizing education as a pathway to empowerment, Otuaro is contributing to President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes human capital development as key to national security and economic growth. For the Isoko Nation, long overlooked in certain federal programmes despite their contributions to Nigeria's oil economy, this inclusion signals a new era of recognition and opportunity.
The ripple effects are expected to be far-reaching. Educated Isoko youths returning with degrees will bolster local communities, drive entrepreneurship, and contribute to regional stability. It also sets a precedent for other underrepresented groups, reinforcing the PAP's role in bridging divides and building a more cohesive Niger Delta.
As the programme continues to evolve, stakeholders hope that this momentum will sustain, ensuring that the gains in inclusivity translate into enduring peace and prosperity. The Isoko youths' laudation serves as a testament to effective leadership and advocacy, highlighting how targeted interventions can heal historical grievances and foster national unity.
In an age where youth empowerment is critical to curbing unrest, Otuaro's strides in expanding access to education exemplify a forward-thinking strategy. The over 200 scholarships awarded to Isoko indigenes are not merely statistics—they represent dreams realized, futures brightened, and a community empowered. This historic step reaffirms the PAP's relevance and potential as a catalyst for positive change in the Niger Delta.
