Four PAP Offshore Scholars Earn Distinctions as 16 Graduate with Master’s Degrees from UK Universities …Otuaro Urges Beneficiaries to Maximize Tinubu’s Educational Opportunities

By Chukwunonso Eric, Warri.

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has recorded another milestone in its human capital development initiative, with four of its offshore scholarship beneficiaries graduating with Distinction while a total of 16 students successfully earned master’s degrees from universities in the United Kingdom.

The four outstanding graduates are Nina Orubebe, who earned a Distinction in Financial Management; Tonbra Tonlagha, International Hospitality and Tourism; Kemien Egbekun, Law; and Simon Douye, Construction Engineering Management.

The 16 graduates completed postgraduate programmes in diverse fields, including Software Engineering, Oil and Gas, Data Science and Engineering, Financial Management, Law, Construction Engineering Management, and Global Public Health. They graduated from leading institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States, including Carnegie Mellon University, Coventry University, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Dundee, Anglia Ruskin University, University of Bedfordshire, Aston University, University of Cambridge, University of South Wales, and Northumbria University.

According to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the latest achievement brings the number of master’s and doctoral degree holders produced under the administration of the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, to 111 since he assumed office in March 2024. Of the total, 57 graduated from universities abroad, while 54 obtained higher degrees from institutions within Nigeria.

Commending the graduates, Dr. Otuaro praised their dedication, discipline, and commitment to academic excellence, noting that they successfully completed their programmes within the stipulated period and have strengthened the pool of skilled professionals being developed for the Niger Delta.

He said the outstanding performance of PAP scholars continues to justify the Federal Government’s investment in education, stressing that the expansion of the scholarship programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at bridging the Niger Delta’s human capital development gap.

Dr. Otuaro also urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunities provided by President Tinubu by applying the knowledge and skills acquired to contribute meaningfully to national development and the sustainable growth of the Niger Delta.

Addressing criticism against the programme, the PAP Administrator maintained that he would not be distracted by what he described as smear campaigns and blackmail by detractors opposed to the expansion of educational opportunities for Niger Delta youths.

He disclosed that President Tinubu’s approval of an upward review of the agency’s budget came with a clear mandate to expand scholarship opportunities, describing education as a strategic investment in lasting peace, stability, and socio-economic development across the region.

“Our decision to expand the scholarship scheme is anchored on the massive support and strong desire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to bridge the region’s human capital development gap under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Otuaro said.

He added that the graduation of the 16 overseas postgraduate scholars further demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering Niger Delta youths through education, insisting that no amount of criticism would derail the programme’s objectives.

Dr. Otuaro also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their continued support, stating that their commitment is laying a solid foundation for peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the Niger Delta.

The PAP Administrator disclosed that the programme has so far awarded about 9,000 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in Nigerian universities, alongside 247 scholarships for higher degrees in foreign universities, as part of its ongoing efforts to equip Niger Delta youths with globally competitive skills.