Dr Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP),is a man of great thinking . In managing the programme under his watch, he is dealing with stakeholders with different interests, voices and visions, often disparate and divergent, to ensure continued peace-building and the future.
Niger Delta is caught in four monumental traps: inequality and poverty; low growth and slow productive transformation; environmental difficulties; and institutional weakness. Dr Otuaro is working to achieve impacts on these. And he envisions a Niger Delta where peace is permanently secured and where the people of the region are empowered to thrive.
He assumed the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme with a clear mission: to transform the lives of ex-militants and other impacted individuals by equipping them with skills, education, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. With a background in law, human rights advocacy, and conflict resolution, Utuaro brought a wealth of experience to the programme, allowing him to steer it towards tangible socio-economic development. Under his watchful eye, the initiative has recorded unprecedented successes in peacebuilding, vocational training, education, and economic empowerment across the Niger Delta.
From the outset of his tenure, Utuaro recognized the need for a comprehensive approach that went beyond the initial goals of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR). His vision was to empower individuals to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. This required not only vocational training but also education, mental health support, and economic opportunities.
One of the hallmarks of Utuaro’s leadership has been his emphasis on the holistic development of beneficiaries. Rather than merely training individuals in specific skills, the programme under his watch has focused on building a well-rounded foundation for ex-combatants, ensuring that they receive education and support tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.
Under Dr. Utuaro’s stewardship, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been achieving remarkable milestones, reshaping the lives of thousands across the Niger Delta. Some of the key achievements include vocational training and skills development, educational empowerment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, reintegration and community development, mental health and psychosocial support.
One of the most significant aspects of the programme has been its focus on vocational training, aimed at equipping beneficiaries with the skills they need to succeed in various industries. Under Utuaro’s leadership, the programme expanded its scope, offering training in sectors such as agriculture, maritime, construction, oil and gas, and information technology. Beneficiaries have been trained as welders, electricians, boat builders, mechanics, and in other high-demand trades, giving them the tools to thrive in both local and global markets.
Furthermore, partnerships with reputable international training institutions have provided beneficiaries with world-class skills, positioning them to compete in international job markets. These collaborations have not only boosted the confidence of the beneficiaries but have also improved the region’s human capital potential.
Beyond vocational training, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has placed significant emphasis on formal education. Hundreds of ex-militants and impacted youths have been sponsored to pursue higher education at universities both in Nigeria and abroad. These individuals, who may have otherwise been left behind, now have access to tertiary education and are pursuing degrees in fields such as engineering, medicine, law, and the social sciences.
Dr. Utuaro’s belief in the transformative power of education has driven the programme to invest in both academic scholarships and vocational diplomas. As a result, numerous beneficiaries have gone on to secure high-level employment in both the private and public sectors. For many, the opportunity to pursue education has been a second chance at life—one they have seized with both hands.
Recognizing the need for sustainable livelihoods, Utuaro has prioritized entrepreneurship and economic empowerment for beneficiaries. The programme has provided seed funding, mentorship, and support to ex-militants who wish to start their own businesses. From agriculture to small-scale manufacturing and trade, many former militants have become successful entrepreneurs, employing others and contributing to the economic growth of their communities.
In addition, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has established cooperative societies and supported beneficiaries in the formation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These businesses have not only provided a means of income for the individuals involved but have also created jobs and stimulated economic activities in the Niger Delta.
While the focus has been on rehabilitating ex-militants, the success of the reintegration process depends on the support of the communities they return to. Under Utuaro’s leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has fostered strong relationships between beneficiaries and their communities, encouraging reconciliation and mutual trust. Through various community outreach programs, the initiative has promoted peace and social cohesion, ensuring that ex-combatants are welcomed back into society and given a chance to thrive.
Moreover, infrastructure development projects, such as the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and vocational training centers, have been launched across the region. These efforts have contributed to the overall development of the Niger Delta, benefiting both ex-combatants and the wider population.
A critical aspect of the amnesty programme under Utuaro’s leadership has been the provision of mental health and psychosocial support to beneficiaries. Many ex-combatants faced trauma and psychological challenges due to their experiences during the conflict. The programme has established counseling and support services to address these issues, ensuring that beneficiaries are mentally and emotionally prepared to reintegrate into society.
This support has been instrumental in helping individuals rebuild their lives and has contributed to the overall success of the reintegration process.
Dr. Utuaro has also made significant strides in ensuring that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is inclusive of women, many of whom were affected by the conflict in various ways. Female beneficiaries have been provided with vocational training, education, and entrepreneurial support, empowering them to build sustainable livelihoods and become leaders in their communities.
Recently, Dr. Otuaro promised involvement of more women in the Niger Delta peace process. He said that his administration will ensure the inclusion of more Niger Delta women in the implementation of the PAP mandate. He also stated that the women folk of the region would be an integral part of the consultation process initiated by the PAP Office for its peace-building efforts to foster sustainable peace, stability and economic growth in the area.
He disclosed this while addressing the Niger Delta women at a meeting in Warri, Delta State with the theme, ‘Niger Delta Women Empowerment: A Panacea for Peace, Stability and Economic Growth in The Region.’
The meeting was part of an expanded Niger Delta stakeholders’ engagement by the PAP office with traditional rulers, opinion leaders, women groups and youth bodies, leaders and members of the various Phases, among others.
Among the women in attendance were frontline activist and former spokesperson for the Ijaw Republican Assembly, AnnKio Briggs; CNN African Journalist of the Year award winner, Ibiba Don-Pedro; President of Ijaw Women Connect, Rosemary Naigba-Oduone; first national women leader of Ijaw Youth Council, Rosebella Jackson; and second national women leader of IYC, Dr Lolo Fubara Sax-Hailsham.
Others included Philomena Onokpuvie, Primrose Kpokposei, Dr Beauty Agbaiboror, Madam Godfrey Bebenimibo, Caroline Ene, Vero Smooth, Ghana Pondi, Tonbra Kilopirite, Beauty Warizowei, among others.
A press statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, quoted Otuaro as saying that the women folk deserved more inclusion because many female activists and youths actively participated in the Niger Delta struggle.
He added that several of the female youths also suffered great personal losses while the women folk alongside their communities became first casualties in the attendant conflicts resulting from the agitation.
He said President Bola Tinubu takes women empowerment seriously and has endorsed the PAP’s office’s measures to support girl-child learning and Niger Delta women to enhance their small and medium scale businesses to boost economic growth and peace in the region.
“Under my leadership, there will be more inclusion and consultation of women in our formal education scholarship and vocational training schemes, as well as peace-building initiatives.” Otuaro said.
Women in the Niger Delta, often sidelined in previous peacebuilding efforts, now have a platform through the Amnesty Programme to develop skills and participate in the region’s socio-economic development. This inclusivity has been critical in fostering broader societal transformation and reducing gender-based inequalities in the region.
Despite its many successes, the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership has not been without challenges. The sheer scale of the task—managing the reintegration of thousands of ex-combatants and addressing the broader socio-economic issues in the Niger Delta—has been daunting. Limited resources, occasional political interference, and the fluctuating global oil market have posed obstacles to the programme’s objectives.
Additionally, maintaining peace and stability in the region remains a constant concern, as the root causes of conflict—such as poverty, environmental degradation, and political marginalization—persist. Utuaro has called for sustained government investment in infrastructure, education, and environmental cleanup in the Niger Delta to complement the efforts of the Amnesty Programme.
Looking ahead, he has emphasized the need for the Federal Government to continue supporting the programme and expanding its scope to address the evolving needs of the region. He believes that, with sustained investment and political will, the gains made by the Amnesty Programme can be solidified, ensuring long-term peace and development in the Niger Delta.
Dr. Otuaro’s tenure as the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been marked by a clear focus on peacebuilding, human capital development, and socio-economic empowerment. His leadership has transformed the programme from a disarmament initiative into a comprehensive reintegration and development effort that has touched the lives of thousands across the Niger Delta.
Through vocational training, education, entrepreneurship, and community development, Utuaro has created pathways for ex-militants and impacted individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute to the region’s peace and prosperity. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity, mental health, and sustainable development has set a high standard for future leadership in the Niger Delta.
As the region continues to navigate its challenges, Otuaro’s leadership in the Presidential Amnesty Programme will be remembered as a cornerstone of peace and transformation in the Niger Delta—an example of what can be achieved when visionary leadership meets a genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.
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