The Mayor of Urhoboland and former ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta region, South-South Nigeria, His Excellency Eshanekpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has lauded the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, for what he described as the exemplary discharge of his duties, sincerity of purpose, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the goals of the intervention agency.
The Mayor emphasized that Dr. Otuaro is the best thing to happen to the PAP since its inception.
Akpodoro made this statement over the weekend in Abuja, as Dr. Otuaro, alongside leaders from the first phase of the Amnesty Programme in Bayelsa State, convened to further efforts in fostering peace, security, and development—both human and material.
The Mayor stressed that Dr. Otuaro deserves commendation from all sincere stakeholders of the programme, stating that only those with ill intentions for the programme are apprehensive about the successes achieved by the Ijaw-born administrator.
During the Bayelsa meeting, Dr. Otuaro highlighted his key achievements over the past eleven months since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following the controversial exit of the previous Coordinator, Barry Ndiomu.
Dr. Otuaro shared that his administration has maintained steady engagement with stakeholders to ensure peace and security, including sending four pilots to South Africa for specialized aviation training.
Additionally, under his leadership, the programme has enrolled 2,000 students in both offshore and onshore educational programs, deployed 98 maritime cadets to support the blue economy, and trained 38 aviation engineers in Lagos for industry-specific expertise.
The Mayor observed that these developments represent a new era in the management of the PAP, noting that the programme has never seen such progress since late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s declaration of the initiative.
Akpodoro pointed out that Dr. Otuaro’s achievements far surpass the “unseen and imaginary successes claimed by past administrations.”
The Mayor further highlighted that Dr. Otuaro’s visionary leadership has outlined future policies aimed at providing vocational training for registered beneficiaries, empowering them with post-training mentorship, initiating women empowerment programs, and increasing the deployment of students to bolster human capital development in the region.
Akpodoro emphasized that such accomplishments could only be realized by a leader with a deep vision for the betterment of his people—someone who avoids playing petty politics with the future of the region.
He expressed confidence that, under Otuaro’s leadership, the region would soon boast world-class pilots and marine industry experts, marking a significant turning point in the lives of the people.
He stated, “We are fortunate that President Tinubu appointed Otuaro, who has undoubtedly exceeded all expectations.”
The Mayor further declared that under Otuaro’s leadership, the PAP is no longer a breeding ground for dubious contractors, racketeers, and profiteers who previously exploited the programme for personal gain.
He lauded Dr. Otuaro for fostering an environment where integrity and honesty have replaced corruption, and contractors with no registered firms have been shown the door.
“The programme is no longer a point of sale for opportunists, but a platform for productive ideas and actions that could elevate the nation.
The new sheriff in town does not entertain lazy, unproductive sentiments. Otuaro remains our best,” Mayor Akpodoro, who is also the head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown (AUMFC), declared. He called on the youths and people of the Delta region to rally behind Dr. Otuaro, a top-notch management expert, in support of his transformative leadership.
