Forum Praises Tinubu Over Human Capital Drive, Honours Otuaro

The Niger Delta Diaspora Forum (NDDF) has commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as a strategic and forward-looking investment in human capital development in the Niger Delta.

The forum highlighted that the administration’s focus on education and youth empowerment is crucial for fostering sustainable peace, stability and economic growth in the region.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, the group’s convener, Omietimi Dan-Daniel, also praised the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dennis Otuaro, describing him as “one of the greatest assets to the Niger Delta in recent times” and a defining factor in the programme’s renewed impact.

At a well-attended event in London over the weekend, the NDDF honoured Otuaro with an award for administrative excellence. “The recognition was given for his commitment to advancing human capital initiatives and repositioning the amnesty programme to respond to emerging regional challenges,” the forum said.

The NDDF applauded President Tinubu’s foresight in prioritising youth education as a key driver of regional stability, capacity building and inclusive development.

It stressed that sustained investment in human capital remains one of the most effective strategies for tackling the root causes of unrest and unlocking the Niger Delta’s socio-economic potent

Acknowledging the contributions of Otuaro, his technical assistant, Edgar Biu, and their team, the NDDF praised their leadership for placing collective regional interests above personal gain.

The forum noted that their approach addresses contemporary challenges, particularly the growing population of youths not included in the original 30,000 beneficiaries of the amnesty programme.

The group emphasised that expanding opportunities to meet increasing demographic pressures is essential for reducing poverty, promoting inclusive development, and preventing a resurgence of social challenges that previously triggered unrest in the region.

The NDDF also advised ex-agitators to prioritise long-term regional development over immediate personal benefits, stressing that the Niger Delta struggle was fundamentally rooted in collective progress rather than individual enrichment.

Expressing satisfaction with ongoing reforms, the forum said Otuaro is reinforcing these ideals by facilitating access to education for thousands of young people.

It disclosed that over 8,000 beneficiaries have been enrolled in Nigerian universities, while more than 200 have been sponsored for specialised studies abroad.

“As members of the diaspora, we believe this approach represents the most sustainable pathway to development,” the forum said. “Enduring progress cannot be built on stipends alone. Education remains the most effective tool for equipping our youths with the skills and knowledge required to transform society,” it said.