A student on the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) scholarship, Kemien Egbekun, has graduated with a remarkable First Class degree in Law, earning a CGPA of 4.77 at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), Agbara-Otor, Delta State. This achievement highlights the positive impact of the PAP’s educational initiatives on students from the Niger Delta region.
Two other students sponsored by PAP – Oladapo Damilola and Toikumo Prosper – also excelled, graduating with Second-Class Upper degrees in Law from the same university. The trio’s academic achievements were celebrated during the university’s 6th convocation ceremony on September 6, 2024.
A Growing List of Academic Successes
The success of these students adds to the long list of impressive academic feats achieved by PAP beneficiaries. According to Dr. Charles Ariye, the Head of Education at the PAP, around 60 students sponsored by the programme have graduated with First Class honors in various disciplines from different universities between 2016 and 2023. These disciplines include:
- Electrical/Electronics Engineering
- Computer Science
- Civil Engineering
- Accounting
- Law
- Petroleum Engineering
- Physics
- International Relations
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Political Science
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Microbiology
- Industrial Chemistry
The educational achievements for 2024 are eagerly awaited as students from various institutions continue to excel.
PAP’s Educational Mission and Human Capital Development
Reacting to these academic successes, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, expressed his delight. He commended the students’ outstanding performances, describing them as a testament to the well-structured educational objectives of the PAP. These achievements, he said, are part of the broader efforts to promote human capital development in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement from his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Dr. Otuaro stated that the program’s success stories reflect the PAP’s commitment to providing quality education to the people of the region. He further highlighted how these academic successes contribute to the mandate of the PAP, which focuses on the reintegration and empowerment of individuals from the Niger Delta.
Otuaro also emphasized the role of President Bola Tinubu in supporting the PAP’s initiatives, attributing the academic feats to the President’s backing through his Renewed Hope Agenda. He described the agenda as a vision for ensuring peace, stability, and development in the Niger Delta.
Challenging Future Scholars
Dr. Otuaro praised the PAP graduates for their stellar academic records, stating that they had made the Federal Government, the PAP Office, their communities, and the Niger Delta region proud. He also challenged current PAP scholarship students to uphold these high standards, encouraging them to strive for even greater success.
Additionally, Otuaro mentioned that his administration is working to ensure the creation of more scholarship opportunities for deserving students, in line with the PAP’s long-term goals.
“We are elated by the fantastic academic performances of the Presidential Amnesty Programme scholarship scheme students,” Otuaro said. “Achieving such impressive grades as First Class and Second-Class Upper Division is no mean academic feat.”
He further noted that these achievements reaffirm that the PAP is successfully fulfilling its mandate. The administration is committed to enhancing efforts to achieve more in both educational and vocational training initiatives.
President Tinubu’s Support for the Niger Delta
Dr. Otuaro emphasized the critical role played by President Bola Tinubu in supporting the PAP’s objectives, noting the President’s strong commitment to the people of the Niger Delta. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu has demonstrated his dedication to achieving sustainable peace and development in the region, ensuring that initiatives like the PAP continue to thrive.
Otuaro concluded by urging the people of the Niger Delta and stakeholders to appreciate and support President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to bring lasting stability and prosperity to the region.
About the Presidential Amnesty Programme
The Presidential Amnesty Programme was launched in 2009 by the Federal Government to address the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta. The programme aimed to reintegrate repentant militants who voluntarily surrendered their weapons in exchange for amnesty. Over the years, the PAP has evolved into a platform for human capital development, providing educational and vocational opportunities to individuals from the region.
Through its scholarship scheme, the PAP has empowered hundreds of young Nigerians, enabling them to pursue higher education and develop skills that contribute to the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta. The success of students like Kemien Egbekun and others underscores the transformative power of this initiative.
FAQs
- What is the Presidential Amnesty Programme?
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was established in 2009 to reintegrate ex-militants from the Niger Delta who surrendered their weapons. It now focuses on education and vocational training to develop human capital in the region. - How many students have achieved First Class through the PAP scholarship?
Between 2016 and 2023, around 60 students sponsored by the PAP have graduated with First Class degrees in various disciplines. - What disciplines have PAP scholars excelled in?
PAP scholars have achieved First Class degrees in disciplines such as Law, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, and many more. - How does the PAP scholarship contribute to human capital development?
The PAP scholarship provides educational opportunities for individuals from the Niger Delta, helping them acquire degrees and skills that contribute to the region’s development. - What is the significance of President Bola Tinubu’s support for the PAP?
President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has provided strong backing for the PAP, ensuring its continued success in fostering peace and development in the Niger Delta.