The Ika Youth Peace Movement (IYPM) has commended Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro for his remarkable developmental strides since assuming office as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) on March 14, 2024. In just one year, Dr. Otuaro has repositioned the PAP as a platform for education, economic empowerment, and regional stability, moving away from a system of stipend dependency to one focused on long-term development.

Key Achievements Under Dr. Otuaro’s Leadership (March 2024 – March 2025)

1. Education & Scholarships

• Increased PAP scholarship beneficiaries from 1,700 to 2,500 for the 2024/2025 academic session.
• Introduced postgraduate scholarship support for exceptional students.
• Trained and graduated four cadet pilots in South Africa.
• Deployed 45 aviation engineering trainees in Lagos.
• Trained 40 Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMES), with 39 placed in top aviation firms for hands-on experience.

2. Vocational Training & Economic Empowerment

• Revitalized maritime training, deploying 98 cadets for Officer of the Watch (OOW) certification.
• Expanded vocational training to equip ex-agitators with skills for entrepreneurship.
• Launched women’s economic empowerment and leadership training programs for ex-agitators.
• Strengthened the reintegration phase, helping ex-agitators secure jobs and businesses.

3. Peace & Security

• Collaborated with Tantita Security Services and other security agencies to reduce pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering.
• Strengthened stakeholder engagement to maintain peace and stability in the region.
• Shifted focus from N65,000 stipends to sustainable development initiatives.

4. Administrative Reforms

• Improved data management and transparency, ensuring better service delivery.
• Conducted re-orientation workshops for PAP employees to enhance productivity.
• Initiated community-based projects to drive regional development.

5. Recognition & Stakeholder Endorsements

Dr. Otuaro’s achievements have earned him widespread praise from prominent Niger Delta groups, including:

• National Association of PAP Graduates (NAPAG)
• Niger Delta Youth Council
• Ijaw Youth Council (IYC)

Stakeholders have expressed confidence in his leadership, affirming that his achievements surpass those of previous administrations in the program’s 14-year history.

Key Stakeholder Engagements & Strategic Visits

• May 2024: Visited universities in Edo and Delta States to encourage PAP-sponsored students.
• June–July 2024: Consulted King Ateke Tom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, and other traditional rulers.
• September 2024: Hosted a Women’s Empowerment Summit in Warri.
• March 2025: Engaged ex-agitator leaders in Yenagoa and met with Tantita Security Services in Abuja.

Conclusion

The Ika Youth Peace Movement lauds Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s visionary leadership, which has transformed the PAP into a hub for education, job creation, and sustainable peace. His strategic reforms, hands-on leadership, and stakeholder collaborations have repositioned the Amnesty Programme as a beacon of hope for the Niger Delta, setting a new standard for progress and development.

With just one year in office, Dr. Otuaro has achieved what past administrations struggled with for over a decade, earning him strong support from across the region.