NEWS
Presidential Amnesty Graduates Laud Innovative Leadership of Otuaro
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The National Association of Presidential Amnesty Graduates (NAPAG) has applauded the innovative leadership of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro.NAPAG, in a statement yesterday by its National Coordinator, Somina Morrison Igani and made available to newsmen via email, commended Otuaro for adopting innovative approach to leadership.
The group also hailed him for bringing vast improvements in overseeing the PAP. Igani observed that Otuaro’s innovative leadership approach has manifested greatly in all aspects of the programme, particularly in his determined effort to bridge the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta.He noted that the PAP Administrator’s steadfast dedication has resulted in significant progress in several areas under the programme.He listed these to include enhanced academic opportunities through scholarship awards, the prompt payment of monthly stipends to PAP delegates, and a revitalised vocational skills acquisition program, providing beneficiaries with high-quality training in various trades.”Under his (Otuaro’s) leadership, there has been a significant increase in support for academic pursuits, enabling many ex-agitators to pursue higher education and professional training.”This special attention to academics has not only empowered individuals but also contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region and beyond.”The prompt disbursement of allowances under Dr Otuaro’s leadership has been instrumental in the sustenance of the livelihoods of many former agitators,” Igani said.He added that the prompt payment of monthly allowances to ex-agitators had been crucial to sustainable peace, security and stability in the region and was a huge support to the reintegration process.He also pointed out that the PAP boss had demonstrated an unparalleled dedication to the academic progress of NAPAG members, stressing that they were happy to identify with the leadership of Otuaro.Igani said, “His administration has significantly expanded educational opportunities, ensuring that we are better equipped to contribute to the nation’s growth.”The Presidential Amnesty graduates further commended the PAP Administrator for the strategic appointment of capable aides, among others, for quality delivery of service.They, therefore, passed a vote of confidence in Otuaro and urged him to maintain the positive impact of his innovative administration on the people and communities of the Niger Delta.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called for a lasting solution to eradicate environmental pollution caused by plastic wastes.
In her message to mark the year 2025 World Environment Day, with the theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, in Abuja on Thursday, the first lady also advised people to curtail the way they consume food and drinks packaged in plastics.
“I join millions of Nigerians and the world in calling for urgent and united action to safeguard our environment.
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, affecting our health, our environment, and our future.“In Nigeria, we must rise to this challenge by changing how we consume packaged food items and how we dispose of plastic containers and bags.
“I particularly want to speak to our youths, the leaders of tomorrow, be it in schools or within our neighborhoods, each of you has a role to play in creating a cleaner, healthier and greener Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu had recently promised to introduce environmental solutions clubs to schools through her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“I want to use this opportunity to introduce our students to two programmes that the RHI will be launching soon.
“First is the Environment Club for Secondary School Students and the Environment Society for Students in Tertiary institutions nationwide to help us clean up our environment and grow more trees.
“Second is the “Flow with Confidence” for our girls in rural communities.
“This programme is to provide one year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to our adolescent girls to support them to remain in school during their menstrual cycle,” She said.
NAN further reports that some of the functions of RHI environmental clubs in schools would include raising environmental awareness; fostering social and life skills; empowering students to take action and promoting sustainable behaviours.
The clubs can also enhance critical thinking and creativity, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen communities.
The club would encourage students to participate in various environmental projects, like tree planting, recycling, and garden projects, gaining practical experience and deeper understanding.(NAN))
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation on Wednesday evening banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Nationals from these countries will be “fully” restricted from entering the U. S., according to the proclamation. Similarly, the entry of nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (5:01am Nigerian time).Trump said the move was needed to protect the U.S. against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X.The U.S. President said the list could be revised and new countries could be added.He said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbour a “large-scale presence of terrorists”.He alleged others failed to cooperate on visa security and had an inability to verify travellers’ identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the U.S..“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said.Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security”.Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats.That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”During his first term in office, Trump had announced a ban on travellers from seven countries, a policy that generated so much controversies before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.However, former President Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” (NAN)From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated the traditional ruler of the Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom on the occasion of his 61st birthday.Otuaro was among prominent guests that graced the colourful birthday celebration of King Ateke at his palace in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area, on Monday.
He described the Rivers monarch as “a respectable leader whose reign has brought about unity, peace, progress and development around his community. ”He stressed that King Ateke, who is also the ‘Sekuro of the Niger Delta’, was a great asset who had contributed immensely to the peace, stability, security and development of the region.Otuaro expressed his utmost regard for the traditional institution and the vital role of traditional rulers in the peace and development of communities in the Niger Delta.He noted that traditional rulers were among the critical stakeholders that the PAP was collaborating with to strengthen the programme’s peace-building process in the region.He reiterated that the programme was in safe hands, and strongly motivated by President Bola Tinubu to bridge the region’s human capital development gap through formal education scholarships and vocational training in aviation, maritime, agriculture, and other relevant trade areas.Otuaro said his policy of inclusivity had ensured the involvement of Niger Delta women in the programme’s initiatives, stressing that there were plans designed for their empowerment and contribution to the region’s socio-economic growth.He emphasized that he was focused on rendering quality service to the people of the region, and not distracted by the shenanigans of his detractors.Otuaro called on all stakeholders of the region to remain steadfast in the effort to sustain the prevailing peace in the region so that socio-economic and developmental activities could thrive around the communities.While expressing appreciation to King Ateke for his unwavering support to the programme, the PAP boss prayed to God to grant him long reign, longevity and good health.
Court Remands 10 Over Alleged Armed Robbery, Murder
ShareAn Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, ordered the remand of 10 persons in a correctional facility over alleged armed...
First Lady Seeks Lasting Solution to Eradicate Environmental Pollution
Share The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called for a lasting solution to eradicate environmental pollution caused by plastic wastes....
16 Parties to Jostle for Anambra Governorship Seat—INEC
ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says 16 out of 19 registered political parties in the country will participate in...
Man jailed 10 Months for Stealing Neighbor’s Refrigerator
ShareA Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday sentenced a 23-year-old man, Abba Danladi, to 10 months imprisonment for stealing his neighbour’s...
Trump Bans Citizens of 12 Countries from Entering U.S.
ShareU.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation on Wednesday evening banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United...
The Mokwa Tragedy
ShareBy Zayd Ibn Isah There are calamities so devastating that in their aftermath, they ought to bring a nation to...
Otuaro Lauds King Ateke Tom’s Contribution to Peace in Niger Delta
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated the traditional ruler of...
Nigeria Moving Towards Self-reliance in Military Hardware Production – Badaru
ShareBy Tony Obiechina Abuja The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru said Nigeria is gradually moving towards self-reliance in military hardware...
Delta Inaugurates Multi-billion Naira Medical Equipment to Transform Healthcare
ShareFrom Francis Sadhere, Delta In a landmark move to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday...
CODAF Launches Report on Chinese, Indian Miners in Nigeria
ShareFrom Mike Tayese, Yenagoa The Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF) has launched a damning report exposing egregious human rights violations...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish