National News
By Jesse Ese
The Convener of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, Emma Satu, has defended the educational reforms being championed by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, saying the initiative is strategically preparing Niger Delta youths to secure the region’s future through knowledge rather than armed struggle.
Satu said the era of militancy has given way to intellectual engagement, insisting that education remains the most sustainable path to empowering ex-agitators and youths from impacted communities across the Niger Delta.
According to him, Otuaro’s decision to invest heavily in education instead of focusing mainly on monthly stipends demonstrates visionary leadership aimed at producing a new generation of educated and productive Niger Deltans.
“Gone are the days of armed struggle. We are now in the era of education and intellectual agitation. What the Niger Delta needs today is educated people, not touts. It is not about increasing money for people to continue living reckless lives, but about empowering them through education, and that is exactly what Dr. Dennis Otuaro is doing,” he said.
The ex-agitators’ leader argued that spending the Amnesty Programme’s resources on scholarships, training and educational opportunities would have a more lasting impact than using the bulk of the budget to increase stipends for beneficiaries.
He noted that while ex-agitators have continued to receive monthly stipends since the programme began in 2009, many of them have nothing to show for it.
According to Satu, Otuaro has introduced a broader vision by extending opportunities to youths from impacted communities, including children and families affected by the Niger Delta crisis.
“The fathers who participated in the struggle may no longer be in a position to return to school, but they have children and relatives who deserve quality education. The Administrator is ensuring that eligible Niger Delta youths are empowered academically so they can defend the region with the pen and not with arms,” he stated.
He maintained that simply increasing monthly stipends would not address the developmental challenges confronting the region.
“Even if the stipends are increased to one million naira every month, it will not change the narrative. When the programme started with ₦65,000 monthly stipends, that amount was substantial because the cost of living was lower. Unfortunately, many beneficiaries could not translate the opportunity into lasting economic growth because they lacked the education and exposure to maximise it.”
Satu stressed that the future of the Niger Delta lies in human capital development rather than dependence on stipends; calling for greater support for policies that prioritise education and sustainable empowerment.
“We need development, not increment of stipends. We need good things in our region. They should stop blackmailing Dr. Dennis Otuaro and instead support his efforts. When one youth is educated, the entire society benefits because education creates opportunities, reduces crime and promotes development.”
He added that Otuaro’s interventions go beyond educational support, saying the PAP Administrator has continued to engage traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen peace and development across the region.
Commending Otuaro’s leadership, Satu described the PAP Administrator as a visionary committed to prudently managing the Amnesty Programme while laying a solid educational foundation for future generations of Niger Delta youths.
