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OTUARO: SUSTAINING PEACE AND PROGRESS IN THE NIGER DELTA
By Favour Bibaikefie
In March 2024, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to achieving lasting peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta. Departing from tradition, he took a decisive step by appointing Dr. Dennis Otuaro as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). This move marked a clear shift from the usual practice of appointing retired military officers to oversee the agency, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring stability in the region.
Dr. Otuaro’s appointment signaled a new era for the Niger Delta, bringing renewed confidence and hope to stakeholders who had long sought meaningful engagement and development. Unlike his predecessors under President Muhammadu Buhari—Col. Dixon Dikio and Gen. Barry Ndiomu—who operated under the uncertain title of “interim administrators” amidst plans to scrap the agency, Dr. Otuaro’s leadership has been met with widespread optimism.
A native of the Niger Delta with deep-rooted understanding of the region’s struggles and aspirations, Dr. Otuaro requires no introduction to the challenges that led to the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s creation during the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration. Known for his passion for peace and sustainable development, Otuaro quickly set the tone for his tenure, declaring his focus on revitalizing the programme to serve its foundational objectives.
Upon assuming office, he emphasized collaboration and stakeholder engagement as the bedrock of his strategy. “I need everyone’s cooperation to take this programme to greatness,” he said, underscoring the need for unity in achieving the President’s vision for the region.
In a display of his commitment to dialogue and transparency, Otuaro embarked on a tour of the six universities partnered with the PAP in Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa States between May 7th and 11th, 2024. These institutions—such as Igbinedion University, Benson Idahosa University, and Bayelsa Medical University—host beneficiaries of the PAP scholarship scheme. Otuaro’s personal visits marked a first for the programme’s leadership, reflecting his hands-on approach to addressing student concerns and fostering cooperation.
The momentum continued in June when Otuaro convened a major consultative summit with former agitators and other stakeholders in Warri, Delta State. Themed “Fostering, Consolidating, and Collaborating for Peace, Security, Stability, and Development in the Niger Delta,” the event focused on uniting the region to prevent a relapse into past conflicts that disrupted lives and stunted economic growth.
Recognizing the integral role of women in promoting peace and development, Otuaro expanded his consultations in September, hosting a groundbreaking summit in Warri titled “Niger Delta Women Empowerment: A Panacea for Peace, Stability, and Economic Growth.” Prominent women leaders, including AnnKio Briggs, Ibiba Don-Pedro, and Rosemary Naingba-Oduone, attended the forum, where Otuaro reaffirmed his resolve to include women in key initiatives of the PAP.
Traditional institutions also featured prominently in Otuaro’s engagement strategy. At a conference titled “Working Together for Sustainable Peace, Security, Stability, and Development in the Niger Delta,” respected monarchs from across the region, such as HRM King Justice Tabai of Tuomo Kingdom and HRM King Peremobowei Erebulu of Kabowei Kingdom, pledged their support for President Tinubu’s developmental plans for the Niger Delta under Otuaro’s leadership.
Beyond public engagements, Otuaro held private consultations with political leaders, including Ijaw elder statesman Pa Edwin Clark, former President Goodluck Jonathan, governors, and federal lawmakers. These efforts were aimed at fostering unity and mobilizing resources for the region’s growth.
True to his priorities, Dr. Otuaro has focused on empowering the Niger Delta’s youth through education, skills acquisition, and vocational training. Between March and December, hundreds of beneficiaries were enrolled in key sectors, including aviation, maritime, and agriculture. Notably, 98 trainees were certified in maritime skills, while 1,700 students received undergraduate scholarships through a transparent process that earned widespread acclaim.
Otuaro’s leadership aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritizing peace and economic stability in the Niger Delta. His results-oriented approach, characterized by stakeholder inclusion and strategic empowerment, has bolstered confidence that enduring peace and progress in the region are achievable.
Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s tenure is steadily laying a foundation for stability and growth, marking a significant step toward the Niger Delta’s long-awaited transformation. His efforts demonstrate not just a commitment to the President’s vision but also a deep resolve to uplift the people of the region.
By Tama Peretengboro
The Chairman, Waterways and Land Security Committee, Chief Boro Opudu, and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro will lead dignitaries at the 57th Boro Day Celebration organised by the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone.
While Chief Boro will oversee the memorial event as Chairman of the Day, Dr. Otuaro will stand in as Special Guest of Honour.
The event themed ‘The Genesis of the 12 Days Revolution Struggle: Our Pains and Gains in Retrospect’ is slated for Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Tunde Smooth Playground, along NPA Expressway, Warri, Delta State.
Activities include a vibrant procession showcasing the spirit and resilience of the Ijaw people together with an insightful symposium reflecting on the legacy of the 12 Days Revolution.
The IYC Western Zone, in collaboration with the 2025 Boro Day Committee, uses this medium to invite all clans, youth bodies, critical stakeholders, and concerned parties to join us as we celebrate and reflect on the impact of Boro.
Tare Magbei
Information Officer, IYC Western Zone
Secretary, 57th Boro Day Committee, IYC Western Zone
By Admin
Burutu, Delta State – The Executive Chairman of Burutu local Government Area, High chief Dr. Julius Takeme(JP),PhD, has extended an open invitation to all Nigerians to unite with the people of Burutu in paying their final respects to the revered Ijaw patriarch, Pa. Sen. Dr. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark.
Dr.Takeme assured the public of Burutu’s readiness to receive all guests with warmth and dignity throughout the duration of the funeral events. He emphasized that the Burutu people are fully prepared to host dignitaries, mourners, and will-wishers who will gather to honour the life and legacy of the Elder Statesman.
These the Burutu LGA Chairman said while taking an on-tge-spot assessment of the arena in Kiagbodo on May 10, 2025.
Iduwinivoice had earlier reported that the week-long funeral ceremonies for the respected southern and middle belt leader commenced since May 7, 2025 in Abuja, will climax on May 12 before final interment on May 13. And come to a close on May 17 with a Thanksgiving service.
As part of the official plans, Pa. Clark’s body is scheduled to be flown from Abuja to Yenagoa on Monday, may 12, where it will make a ceremonial stop at the iconic Izon ware (Ijaw House). From there, the remains will be transported to his residence in Ogbe-Ijoh, Warri, for further tributes.
The final journey will take the body to Kiagbodo town in Burutu local Government Area for traditional and social wake-keeping ceremonies, culminating in his interment on Tuesday, May 13 2025.
Pa. Edwin Clark, know for his towering influence in Nigerian politics and advocacy for the rights of the Niger Delta and other oppressed people, is being remembered nationwide for his enduring legacy of leadership and service.
By Prof. Binebai
In the pantheon of Nigerian legends, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark stands as a colossus, his presence casting a long shadow over the landscape of Nigeria’ s history. Like a mighty baobab tree, his roots dug deep into the earth, nourished by the rich soil of his convictions. His voice, a thunderclap that shook the foundations of power, echoed through the corridors of time, a clarion call to justice and righteousness.
As a titan of Nigerian politics, Chief Clark’s stature was imposing, his gaze piercing, and his words imbued with the weight of wisdom. He strode through the treacherous waters of Nigerian politics with the certainty of a man who knew his purpose, leaving in his wake a trail of transformative impact. His was a life that defied the limits of mortality, his legacy a burning ember that would ignite generations to come.
Like the great River Niger, which flows through the heart of our nation, Chief Clark’s life was a strong evidence of the power of perseverance and determination. He navigated the twists and turns of Nigeria’s tumultuous history with the skill of a seasoned navigator, always keeping his eyes fixed on the horizon of a better tomorrow. His was a journey marked by courage,conviction, and an unbending commitment to the principles of justice and equality.
In Nigerian politics, Chief Kiagbodo Clark was a mythical figure, a demigod whose exploits would be told and retold for generations to come. His name became synonymous with wisdom, integrity, and statesmanship, a ray of hope in a world beset by darkness and despair. His legacy would inspire countless others to follow in his footsteps, striving to make a difference in the lives of their fellow human beings.
As the sun sets on his mortal coil, Chief Clark’s spirit remains, a shining presence that continues to guide and inspire. His voice, though silenced, still echoes through the chambers of our collective memory, reminding us of the power of conviction and the importance of standing up for what is right. His life was a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for greatness, a flame that would burn brightly for generations to come.
In the annals of Nigerian history, Chief Clark’s name would be engraved in letters of gold, a signature of his enduring legacy. His was a life that would be celebrated, his achievements revered, and his memory cherished. As a nation, we would continue to draw inspiration from his remarkable journey, striving to emulate his example of leadership, wisdom, and courage.
As we bid farewell to this titan of Nigerian politics and the foremost Ijaw nationalist, we take comfort in the knowledge that his legacy would live on, a guiding light that would illuminate the path to a brighter future. Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark may have left us, but his spirit remains a powerful reminder of the impact one man can have on the lives of many. His was a life that would be remembered for generations to come, a shining example of what it means to live a life of purpose, conviction, and service to humanity.