NEWS
Amnesty Phase 3 Leader Lauds Otuaro for Prioritizing Capacity-Building of Ex-Agitators
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
National Vice Chairman of Phase Three of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), General Alhaji Letugbene has lauded the Administrator of PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro for prioritizing capacity-building of ex-agitators in the amnesty programme.
He commended Dr Otuaro last weekend, during the closing ceremony of the third batch of the three-day Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training For Presidential Amnesty Programme Stakeholders organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
Letugbene, who acknowledged that the workshop has broadened the knowledge and understanding of participants, commended Dr Otuaro and his team for organizing the programme to boost the capacity of PAP stakeholders across the three phases of the amnesty programme.
He said as PAP’s Peace Ambassadors, the knowledge gained at the capacity training programme would enable the participants to engage positively with other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, women and youth groups, in their various communities in the Niger Delta.The ex-agitator on behalf of participants, also thanked His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing the peace, stability and development of the oil-rich Niger Delta in his eight point Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring of commitment to sustain the peace in the region.
This capacity-building programme is apt and timely. On behalf of the participants in the third batch, I want to express my profound gratitude to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro to carry out lofty programmes like this”.
While describing peace-building initiatives as catalyst for growth and development, the National Vice Chairman of Phase Three enjoined the participants to share the knowledge gained at the training programme as a way of spreading the message of peace and collaboration to engender all-round development in the region.According to him “Our capacity has been built, we are now better prepared as PAP Peace Ambassadors.
Going forward, we will work with the authorities in our various communities to foster peace in our region”.
The Bayelsa youth leader also asserted that the Amnesty Office has successfully concluded the leadership training for first, second and third batches of stakeholders in the PAP phase one, two and three, noting that another set of ex-agitators in batches, would soon commence their training to boost their capacity.
Letugbene also extolled Dr. Otuaro for being proactive, pragmatic and visionary, saying his commitment and dedication has catapulted him to the front row as the best PAP Administrator since the establishment of the PAP by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’dua in 2009.
He equally described as novel, the plans to expand the Amnesty Programme to include impacted women and youths, hinting that the proposed training for the expected new entrants in the PAP is highly commendable and urged the federal government and other key stakeholders to support Dr Otuaro to succeed in his mandate.
General Letugbene, however, admonished PAP beneficiaries not to be used as agents of destabilization by selfish politicians as they do not mean well for the region, while restarting his call on traditional rulers, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to work with the Amnesty Office and the federal government to sustain the peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta.
NEWS
Menstrual Hygiene: Stakeholders Seek Affordable Sanitary Products for Girls
A Non-Governmental Organisation, MAHCare Foundation, has called for increased awareness and support to address period poverty among women and girls in the country.
The President of the foundation, Maryam Musa, made the call during a “Walk for Her Dignity” awareness campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, organised to highlight challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene and access to sanitary products.
Musa said the initiative was to educate the public on the dangers of period poverty and the health risks associated with the use of unhygienic menstrual materials.
She added that “period poverty is not something to be neglected, it is something to be tackled. Sanitary pads are so expensive that many women and girls now use unhygienic products that affect their health, education and daily activities.
”She explained that the awareness campaign would continue beyond the walk, adding that the organisation planned to distribute sanitary products to vulnerable groups and communities.
She noted that the foundation was also promoting the use of reusable sanitary pads to support girls who could not afford disposable products.
“We educate them on how to properly manage reusable pads because not everybody can afford disposable ones. We are also trying to correct misconceptions that sanitary products are against religion or culture”, she said
She added that women and girls should understand that using sanitary pads was important for their health and hygiene.
Sahura Maidoki, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said the campaign was necessary to educate communities on menstrual hygiene and end the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Maidoki stressed the need to involve men in menstrual hygiene education, noting that “some parents failed to educate their daughters on proper menstrual care.
“We also have issues with some men because they do not educate their children on the importance of taking care of themselves during menstruation.”
She explained that sensitisation talks would help people to understand the importance of providing sanitary pads for their daughters and wives and ensure that menstruation was not seen as a barrier for the girl-child.
A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, Doris Zakama, who spoke at the event said many girls, especially those in rural communities, lacked access to menstrual hygiene products and adequate education on menstrual health.
Zakama urged the government to subsidise menstrual hygiene products, make them affordable for girls and women struggling with rising cost of living.
NEWS
One Year into OPay’s N1.2 billion 10-year Scholarship Initiative, What’s Next?
Getting into a tertiary institution is only half the journey. Staying in school, paying fees on time, and having the right support system can be the bigger challenge. Over the past year,
OPay has stepped into that gap, not just as a fintech company, but as a partner in the ambition and aspirations of thousands of students.
Through its long-term scholarship initiative, OPay has committed N1.
2 billion over 10 years to support outstanding and indigent students across more than 20 partner tertiary institutions nationwide. What began as tuition support has grown into something more profound, a structured investment in young people who have the capacity but need financial backing to stay focused on their studies.In campuses from Ife to Zaria and Calabar, OPay scholarship beneficiaries have shared stories of relief and renewed confidence. For many, the scholarship meant their parents no longer had to borrow money for school fees. For others, it meant more time in the library and less time worrying about part-time work. In a country where education remains one of the strongest ladders to upward mobility, this kind of support goes beyond money; it restores dignity and hope.
But OPay’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) journey is not stopping at the scholarship initiative.
Building on the strong foundation already laid, OPay is launching OPay Scholars, a bold expansion that moves from financial support to full career development. The 2026 edition will introduce OPay Futures and a National Innovation Challenge, where students can propose practical solutions to real-world problems. It will also feature a focused webinar session and a bootcamp led by industry experts, providing scholars with direct access to knowledge in technology, entrepreneurship, and career growth.
Most notably, the 2026 edition will create a structured career development pathway, culminating in a grand finale of OPay’s second annual Empowering Futures Conference.
This platform will not only celebrate academic excellence but also spotlight creativity, leadership, and innovation among Nigerian students.
At a time when many young Nigerians are asking, “What next after school?”, OPay is helping to answer that question. By combining financial aid with mentorship, exposure and opportunities for innovation, the company is positioning education as both a safety net and a springboard.
OPay’s impact over the past year proves one thing clearly: when businesses invest consistently in people, communities grow stronger. And in 2026, OPay Scholars is set to support ambitions and actively shape the future, one student, one idea, and one opportunity at a time.
NEWS
Benue Not Owing Workers’ Salary – Odey
By Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Benue State government has debunked reports in some sections of the media including DAILY ASSET NEWSPAPER over alleged owing of Workers’ Salary.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Odey who refuted the media claims on Sunday in Makurdi said the state government was only carrying out workers verification exercise, which according to him, they will be paid accordingly after the conclusion of the exercise.
Odey, who said the state government remains committed to the welfare of workers, urged media organizations to always verify the sources of their information before going public.


