May 10, (THEWILL)- The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has charged students under the Amnesty scholarship scheme to intensify efforts to sustain their record of academic excellence in their universities.
Otuaro spoke on Thursday, when he visited the PAP scholarship students at Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo; Western Delta University, Oghara, and Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, all in Delta State.
He had earlier visited PAP scholarship students at Igbinedion University, Okada, and Benson Idahosa University, Benin, all in Edo State, as part of his tour of partnering institutions to interact with the management and the students, on Wednesday.
Otuaro, who was inundated with the beautiful record of academic performance by students under the PAP scholarship scheme, stressed that the positive reports would only encourage the government to do more to invest in human capacity development.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Otuaro stated that this was in line with the policy of the Tinubu administration to channel the human resources in the oil-rich Niger Delta to productive activities as part of the sustained efforts to promote peace for economic growth in the area.
Otuaro, who was briefed differently by the Vice-Chancellors of the three institutions, promised that the PAP would give the necessary support to brilliant and serious-minded students under the scheme who might want to do their Master’s degree if they can secure admission.
He said, “Formal education is a critical aspect of this programme. We have produced many students who have First Class and Second Class Upper while others made distinctions at the post-graduate level.
“These excellent grades are a very encouraging way of bridging the human capacity development gap in the Niger Delta. I hold the view strongly that formal education would offer self-reliance and higher chances of success to 80 percent of beneficiaries.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme is for the poor. When you make a great grade, we will make efforts to support your post-graduate studies. We are committed to their success in life and will offer necessary support to those who make good grades to get employment opportunities.
“We are happy and indeed the President would be encouraged by the record of performance of students of the various partnering institutions.
“I advise the students to improve their interpersonal relationships. They should adhere to the rules and regulations of the institutions.
“It is the belief of the President that the impact of the government should be felt by the people not only during elections, and that is why he has taken these steps.”
The story of academic success ran through all three universities where some of the students were retained as a reward for sterling academic performance.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Western Delta University, Prof Augustine Ikelegbe, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Otuaro, a stakeholder with tested passion for the development of the region, to lead the PAP.
Ikelegbe said that the institution runs an innovative mentorship programme and has trained several lecturers with certification to take care of students to prevent them from straying.
He commended the amnesty students for putting up a superlative performance in character and academics, saying: “One of the best students had several prizes. He topped three years of graduating sets and won several prizes. This shows that your students are very good. One other was retained as a graduate assistant in economics. We retain our best. She is on leave of absence in the UK.
“I expect the programme to be transformed and more advanced with this appointment. He ran the two Master’s degrees concurrently. Only a brilliant person can achieve that from the University of Benin. That shows class and depth, and capacity to interpret the challenges of the Niger Delta. We should have a broader, systematic and performing PAP.”
Similarly, Vice-Chancellor of Edwin Clark University, Prof. Samuel Ugbolue, said that the institution is proud of the achievements of the amnesty students, one of whom was engaged as a Personal Assistant to the Governor of Delta State.
He assured the PAP Administrator of the readiness of the institution to embrace a strengthened and expanded relationship with the amnesty office.
He stressed that the South-South region and indeed the country need scholarship opportunities to promote human capital development.
Also, the Vice-Chancellor of Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Prof. Ibiyinka Fuwape, said that the feedback on the students was excellent as some of them made the overall best results in the institution.
About the Author
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
