By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has described the programme’s scholarship scheme as a major vehicle towards ensuring a better future for the Niger Delta.

He spoke at the opening ceremony for the fifth batch of the two-day “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation Training for PAP Stakeholders” organised by the Office in collaboration with the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC) at the Nigerian Army War College, Abuja, on Thursday.

Otuaro, who declared the workshop open, said that the decision for the massive deployment of scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria is informed by the need to utilise formal education to build a sure future for the communities in the region.

According to him, his leadership’s focus on education is aimed at investing in the youths as a deliberate effort to equip them to be drivers of the planned prosperity, peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta in the years ahead.

He said, “We have seriously focused on education, and the scholarship programme is a proper vehicle for a better tomorrow for our region. So far, between 2024 and 2025, we have deployed over 9000 scholarship students to universities within and outside Nigeria; in-country deployment alone this year is 4500.

“These are deliberate efforts we are taking to prepare our region for tomorrow. We need to prepare the next generation for the challenges of peace, socio-economic growth, development, and security.

“If we don’t equip our youths today with education, tomorrow would not be assured. It is time to prepare for the rainy day, that is why we are deliberately investing in the education of our young ones.

“I believe that the scholarship beneficiaries will appreciate this opportunity that we are giving to them. For nearly two years, we have tried as much as possible to impact nearly all communities through the scholarship programme.”

Otuaro explained that the capacity-building workshop was organised to consolidate the PAP’s peacebuilding process in the Niger Delta in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

He told the participants that they have a great role to play in the task of deepening the peacebuilding process because they are stakeholders and leaders in their own right.

The PAP helmsman said the time had come for stakeholders to unite strongly and come together to resolve issues in the region without the involvement of outsiders.

He urged the participants to be role models for stability and peace ambassadors of President Tinubu in the Niger Delta.

He stressed that peacebuilding should be their watchword going forward.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his steadfast support for the PAP, saying that the president is pleased with the existing peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

He also applauded the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his encouragement and strategic supervision of the PAP.

Otuaro further extended gratitude the management of the Nigerian Army War College, resource persons, and the leadership and membership of the AANDEC for partnering with the PAP to deepen the peacebuilding process in the region.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state has reaffirmed the full determination of Osun people to defeat the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2026 polls, declaring unequivocally “I will beat Oyebamiji by the might of God and people”

Reacting to statements credited to Mr Gboyega Oyetola at the APC guber Primary on Saturday, the governor described the minister’s hope for victory as “wishful thinking, illusory grandstanding and a failure to accept the deep level of unpopularity of APC among the people of Osun state”

Calling Oyetola regime an anti-people era in Osun history, Governor Adeleke lamented the run down state of affairs when he took over the state in 2022, tagging Oyetola reign “a dark page in Osun socio-political history, a period neither labour nor any segment of our population want re-enacted”

The governor who boasted of a mass movement behind his re- election bid mocked the minister and the APC for embarking on anti-democratic activities instead of marketing themselves to the people and potential voters.

“If you are sure you have the votes of the people, why are you deploying anti-democratic means to stop the unstoppable will of our people? It is shameful and reprehensible that those who claim to be popular are dead scared to face the people in a free and fair election.

Governor Adeleke, speaking on Sunday through his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, described the claim as “a clear misreading of the political reality in Osun State, the people of the State are fully satisfied with the people-oriented and responsive governance being delivered by the present administration.

“Osun citizens are enjoying a government that prioritises workers’ welfare, infrastructural renewal, healthcare delivery, education, and inclusive development, and therefore have no desire to return to the era of hardship, neglect, and anti-people policies associated with the APC’s 12-year rule in the State.”

“You and your proxy, now the APC’s governorship candidate, were central figures in the mismanagement that plunged Osun State into economic distress, characterised by half salaries, mounting debts, and poor service delivery to the people. Osun will not go back to the dark days”, the governor was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke emphasised that his administration is currently reversing those damages and restoring dignity to governance in the State as attested to by several awards and recognition including the newest one, the winner of Primary health care leadership challenge for South West.

He further asserted that the impressive performance of his administration across all critical sectors has earned the trust and confidence of the people, who are determined to defend the gains of good governance at the polls.

“As the August 8, 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, Osun people are fully aware that a vote for the APC and its candidate is a vote for a return to the failures of the past. Such a regression is one the people of Osun are not prepared to entertain,” the Governor stated.

Governor Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to sustained delivery of democratic dividends and urged Osun citizens to disregard political propaganda, assuring them of continued focus on people-centred development.

By George Mgbeleke

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced that she will formally register as a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday, December 18.

Kingibe had in July disclosed her decision to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the ADC as part of her political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. She described the move as intentional and said it would be concluded with “fanfare”.

“I’m totally and completely committed to ADC. But obviously, as the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, don’t expect me to just take a lunch break and go collect a card. I want to do so with noise and fanfare,” she had said.

*According to a statement released by her Senior Special Assistant on Media, Kennedy Mbele, the registration ceremony is slated for 10 a.m. at the ADC national headquarters in Wuse, Abuja.*

The statement noted that the event will officially seal Kingibe’s departure from the Labour Party and mark her formal entry into the ADC.

Top-ranking party officials, ADC candidates contesting the February 21 FCT area council elections, party faithful, as well as members of the media, are expected to be present.