Don’t Protest Over Stipend Increments, Otuaro’s Decision to Invest in Education Will Benefit Niger Delta More – Gen. Aroni Cautions PAP Delegates

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A prominent Niger Delta leader and chairman of the Forum of the First Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme Delegates Chief Hon. Aaron Opudu alias General Aroni, has urged delegates of the program, youths and stakeholders in the region to refrain from protesting over stipend increments canvased in some quarters, saying that the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s focus on education and human capital development will benefit the Niger Delta more in the long run.

Gen. Aroni made the appeal in a statement issued on Sunday in Warri, Delta State, while reacting to growing agitation among some PAP beneficiaries agitating for stipend increments.

According to him, the days of dependence on stipends alone are over, and the region must embrace a new direction that prioritizes skills acquisition, scholarship, and educational empowerment for sustainable peace and development.

“We must not allow ourselves to be misled into protesting over stipend increments. The Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has made it clear that his vision is to invest more in education, vocational training, and human capacity building. That is what will truly transform the Niger Delta, not just cash handouts,” Gen. Aroni stated.

The former fighter noted that while stipends provided immediate relief during the early years of the amnesty programme, the Niger Delta now needs graduates, entrepreneurs, engineers, and professionals who can compete globally.

He commended Dr. Otuaro for initiating policies aimed at expanding scholarship schemes, strengthening partnerships with universities and technical institutions, and redirecting resources toward programmes that will outlive the amnesty office.

“Otuaro’s decision to invest heavily in education is strategic. If we train 10,000 Niger Delta youths in engineering, ICT, agriculture, and maritime skills today, in five years those youths will be employing others. That is a real development. Stipends for daily bread will not give us that,” he said.

Gen. Aroni further called on ex-agitators, community leaders, and youth groups to support the new direction and engage the PAP office through dialogue rather than confrontation.

“The Niger Delta has suffered enough from the crisis. We have made progress because we chose peace. Let us not throw that away because of stipend issues. Even if the stipend is increased to N100k, it can’t afford anything following the current economic realities in the country. The future of our children is in education,” he added.

He also urged the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to the PAP to enable Dr. Otuaro fully implements the education-focused agenda, including overseas scholarships, startup grants for graduates, and partnerships with private sector firms for job placement.

“Let the youths key into training, go back to school, and acquire skills. The stipend will fade, but knowledge and certification will remain with you for life. That is the legacy, Dr. Otuaro wants to leave,” Gen. Aroni concluded.