The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has received renewed praise from stakeholders following growing signs that the initiative is returning to its founding vision.
This follows commendations from the national chairman of Phase 2 E
Ex-agitators, Ibena Rufus Salvation, who described the recent direction of the programme as a “restoration long overdue.”
In a statement yesterday, Salvation said the programme, under the leadership of Chief Dennis Otuaro, is once again focusing on empowerment, skills development and educational support, core pillars many beneficiaries feared had weakened over the years.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme has been brought back to its original purpose and mandate,” he said.
According to him, the renewed emphasis on education, particularly through the distribution of laptops to students under the PAP scholarship scheme, demonstrates a practical commitment to helping young beneficiaries succeed in today’s digital world.
“Thank you sir for empowering our students with laptops to enhance their learning skills,” he added.
The Phase 2 leader explained that such interventions are not just symbolic but strategic, as they prepare ex-agitator youths to participate actively in an evolving economy where digital skills are increasingly indispensable.
He stressed that returning PAP to its foundational objectives would help reduce tensions in the Niger Delta, boost trust in government-led reintegration efforts, and create real opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
Salvation urged beneficiaries to use the new educational tools responsibly and stay focused on building careers beyond the programme.
He observed that Otuaro’s recent actions suggest a deliberate attempt to strengthen human capital development rather than short-term handouts, a shift many Niger Delta stakeholders have been advocating for in recent years.
