‘Don’t revert to old habits’ — Dennis Otuaro asks Niger Delta youths to shun protest

Dennis Otuaro, administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), says residents of the Niger Delta should shun the planned nationwide protest against hunger.

The protest is slated to begin on August 1.

Otuaro spoke on Tuesday, during the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) executive management engagement with youth leaders and stakeholders, in Port Harcourt. 

Otuaro said the President Bola Tinubu administration has been favourable to the region. 

He appealed for patience with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda “which aims to revitalise Nigeria’s economy and accelerate progress in the Niger Delta”.

The administrator harped on the importance of maintaining peace and security, while urging youths “not to revert to old habits by participating in the planned national protests”.

Otuaro attributed his appointment to Tinubu’s stance on youth empowerment.

He added that PAP is set to empower 1,000 youths and increase scholarships for Niger Delta students.

“The government of President Bola Tinubu is youth-friendly and deeply cares for the Niger Delta. I was at the NDDC before being appointed to lead the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and Samuel Ogbuku is the managing director of the NDDC,” he said.

“It’s time for us to support Tinubu’s administration and not join in the protests. We need to be patient for his reforms to take effect. We must not regress to old ways.

“This year, the PAP aims to empower over 1,000 youths. In education, we will expand our scholarship programme to include 500 beneficiaries.

“We prioritise our women. We’ve had meetings with ex-agitators, and we plan to have another meeting solely with women. This will allow them to voice their issues. We won’t impose anything on them.

“The meeting will involve women from across the Niger Delta. We will work with the NDDC, as we already have the necessary personnel.”

Among those who attended the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives; Asuquo Ekpenyong, chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs; Emmanuel Ibok Essien, PANDEF national chairman; Benjamin Okaba, Ijaw National Congress president; Jonathan Lokpobiri, Ijaw Youth Council president; AnnKio Briggs, Niger Delta activist; Mujahid Asari Dokubo; and Ayiri Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom.