By Rukevwe Odeh

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support of the programme, following the successful graduation of 16 beneficiaries sponsored for postgraduate studies abroad.

The graduates completed master’s degree programmes at universities in the United Kingdom and the United States, with four of them earning distinctions in their respective fields. The outstanding graduates are Nina Orubebe (Financial Management), Tonbra Tonlagha (International Hospitality and Tourism), Kemien Egbekun (Law), and Simon Douye (Construction Engineering Management).

The scholars studied a wide range of disciplines, including Software Engineering, Oil and Gas, Data Science and Engineering, Financial Management, Law, Construction Engineering Management, and Global Public Health. They graduated from respected institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Coventry University, Manchester Metropolitan University, Aston University, Northumbria University, Carnegie Mellon University, and several others.

Reacting to the achievement, Otuaro congratulated the graduates for their dedication and successful completion of their programmes. He noted that their accomplishments demonstrate the positive impact of the Federal Government’s investment in education and human capital development in the Niger Delta.

According to him, the expansion of the scholarship scheme aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve educational opportunities and equip young people in the region with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Otuaro stated that since assuming office in March 2024, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has produced 111 master’s and doctoral degree holders, comprising 57 graduates from foreign universities and 54 from institutions within Nigeria. He added that the programme has awarded about 9,000 undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships in Nigerian universities, alongside 247 scholarships for higher education abroad.

The PAP administrator also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for their continued support, saying their commitment has strengthened the programme’s efforts to promote peace, education, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta.

He reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to continue expanding access to educational opportunities for qualified youths despite criticism, stressing that investment in education remains one of the most effective ways to secure lasting peace and economic growth in the region.

By Rukevwe Odeh

Senior government officials, economic experts and business leaders have urged Nigeria’s state governments to take a more active role in driving economic development, arguing that the country’s recent economic reforms can only deliver meaningful benefits if states attract investments, expand local industries and create employment opportunities.

The call was made during the 2026 Delta State Economic and Investment Summit in Asaba, where participants stressed that while the Federal Government has introduced reforms aimed at stabilising the economy, sub-national governments must now translate those gains into improved living standards for citizens.

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said macroeconomic stability alone would not guarantee economic prosperity. According to him, state and local governments are best positioned to unlock development by promoting industries, encouraging investment and supporting businesses based on their comparative advantages.

He noted that recent reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange market, fuel subsidy removal and tax policy changes, have increased revenue allocations to states and local councils, giving them greater capacity to fund infrastructure, settle salary and pension obligations, and improve public services.

Also speaking at the summit, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, encouraged Nigeria and other African countries to take advantage of changes in global trade patterns. She said businesses around the world are diversifying supply chains, creating opportunities for African economies that can provide stable investment environments.

Okonjo-Iweala further highlighted the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as a major opportunity for Nigeria to attract manufacturers and investors seeking access to a large regional market.

Vice President Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting states pursuing economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He described Delta State as a strategic investment destination with strong potential in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, energy and the blue economy.

Shettima said Nigeria’s long-term prosperity cannot rely solely on crude oil revenues, stressing the need for economic diversification. He pointed to Delta State’s coastline, ports, gas resources and entrepreneurial population as assets capable of attracting both domestic and foreign investors.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori unveiled a 100-million-dollar investment fund designed to stimulate business growth and attract new investments into the state, while other speakers called for greater collaboration between governments and the private sector to improve infrastructure, electricity supply and industrial development.

Participants agreed that sustained economic growth will depend on how effectively state governments leverage ongoing reforms to expand productive sectors, create jobs and improve the welfare of citizens.

By Rukevwe Odeh

Former South-East spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has defended the educational information contained in the President’s nomination documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that they comply with Nigeria’s constitutional provisions.

Speaking in Abuja, Onoh dismissed criticisms over the omission of Tinubu’s primary and secondary school certificates from the EC9 nomination form, describing the controversy as politically motivated and based on a misunderstanding of the law.

According to him, the President’s submission of a Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University alongside his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate is sufficient to satisfy the constitutional educational requirement for anyone seeking the office of President.

Onoh explained that Section 131(d) of the 1999 Constitution only requires a candidate to have attained at least the equivalent of a School Certificate education. He argued that possession of a recognised university degree clearly exceeds that minimum qualification.

He further maintained that previous court decisions have established that candidates are not legally required to present every academic certificate obtained from primary school through tertiary education when submitting nomination documents to INEC.

According to Onoh, the law is primarily concerned with preventing false declarations or forged credentials rather than compelling aspirants to provide a complete record of their educational history.

He added that leaving sections relating to lower educational qualifications blank does not amount to a constitutional violation where a higher academic qualification has already been submitted.

The former presidential aide urged political opponents to rely on constitutional provisions and judicial precedents instead of fueling public controversy over the issue. He also stated that President Tinubu’s academic credentials have been subjected to scrutiny in the past and remain valid.

Onoh concluded that the President’s nomination papers meet the legal requirements and expressed confidence that the documents would withstand any legal challenge.