The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has received renewed backing from one of its key stakeholders, with General Ibena Salvation Rufus, National Chairman of Phase 2 of the programme, voicing strong support for recent reforms introduced by the current Administrator, Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro. Ibena publicly commended Otuaro for taking decisive action to address long-standing issues of fraud, mismanagement, and exploitation that had plagued the scholarship scheme under PAP.
Speaking on the reforms, Ibena highlighted that the Administrator has demonstrated a clear determination to safeguard the programme’s integrity and ensure that only genuine beneficiaries continue to access its opportunities. He noted that in the past, loopholes within the system were abused by individuals who were neither legitimate ex-agitators nor qualified participants in the programme. These individuals allegedly manipulated the scholarship scheme, diverting funds meant to support the rehabilitation and empowerment of Niger Delta youths who laid down arms under the amnesty initiative.
Ibena stressed that the days of “business as usual” are over, as Otuaro has already taken practical steps to block the channels that previously enabled fraudulent activities. According to him, the new leadership has prioritized accountability, ensuring that funds and benefits are directed only to those who meet the original mandate of the programme. By doing so, the reforms are expected to restore public confidence in PAP and strengthen its role in promoting peace and development in the Niger Delta.
The Phase 2 Chairman went further to thank Otuaro for fulfilling his promises to genuine beneficiaries. He explained that many participants had grown disillusioned over the years due to the prevalence of fake beneficiaries and contractors, who reaped the benefits of the scheme at the expense of the intended ex-agitators. With the latest reforms, Ibena said, the programme is being returned to its rightful owners, a move he described as long overdue.
In a particularly firm statement, Ibena addressed individuals he described as “fake Itsekiri graduates” of Novena University, one of the institutions previously linked to irregularities in the scholarship programme. He advised them to return to the contractors and sponsors who facilitated their fraudulent claims, emphasizing that PAP will no longer entertain such cases under Otuaro’s administration. He alleged that Novena University had been exploited by corrupt contractors who collaborated with non-beneficiaries to siphon funds under the guise of providing scholarships.
Ibena maintained that these revelations are not based on speculation but on solid information available to stakeholders in the programme. He made it clear that the reform process is well informed and targeted at exposing and shutting down the networks that enriched themselves through deceit, while depriving real beneficiaries of opportunities for education and skills development.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, established in 2009, was designed to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-agitators from the Niger Delta into society through education, skills training, and empowerment initiatives. However, over the years, the programme has faced persistent criticism over alleged mismanagement, corruption, and infiltration by people who were never part of the original amnesty deal.
By backing Otuaro’s policies, Ibena signaled a strong alignment among key leaders of the ex-agitator phases with the current administration of PAP. His remarks also serve as a warning to those who have exploited the programme in the past that their activities will no longer go unchecked. He reiterated that the reforms will not only cleanse the system but also preserve the credibility of the initiative as a vital instrument for peace and stability in the oil-rich region.
The Chairman concluded by reaffirming his support for the Administrator and urging all genuine beneficiaries to rally behind the ongoing reforms. According to him, the success of PAP depends on transparency, accountability, and the collective commitment of all stakeholders to protect the programme from infiltration and abuse. With Otuaro’s firm stance, Ibena expressed confidence that PAP will continue to fulfill its mandate of empowering Niger Delta youths and sustaining the peace in the region.
