Otuaro Urges Niger Delta Youths to Embrace Peace, Unity on Boro Day
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), High Chief Dennis Otuaro PhD, has called on youths in the Niger Delta to embrace peace, unity, and vigilance for the region’s development.
Otuaro made the call on Thursday while speaking at a gathering to commemorate Boro Day in honour of the late Ijaw freedom fighter, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. He urged young people to pursue the struggle for justice and resource control through intellectual engagement and active participation in governance.
“Today, we are not just remembering Boro as a hero of the past, but celebrating him as a father of the Ijaw nation whose spirit lives on,” Otuaro said. “While our elders fought differently, our generation must channel the struggle through intellect, unity, and peace.”
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, Otuaro delivered goodwill messages from President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and PAP stakeholders. He assured that the programme would become more inclusive moving forward.
“Peace in our communities brings peace to our region. My appeal to our youth, kingdoms and clans is to uphold this peace. We must love one another, and even love our neighbours. Let us be vigilant, united, and committed to sustaining the calm we have,” he urged.
Reflecting on the progress made within his first year in office, Otuaro disclosed plans to broaden the scope of the Amnesty Programme to reach more beneficiaries.
“We currently have 30,000 people captured in the database, but this is not just about numbers. I am a product of the Niger Delta struggle, and I understand what this means for our people, our women, our mothers, and our children. The goal is to ensure no one is left out,” he noted.
Addressing critics and what he described as attempts at blackmail, Otuaro made it clear that the Amnesty Programme under his leadership would not be hijacked by personal interests.
“This programme is not for a few greedy individuals. It belongs to the people. I’m focused on my mandate, and I won’t be distracted by those who feel entitled. Everyone must be carried along in line with the purpose of the programme,” he stated.
