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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.
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Federal University Otuoke to Host Public Lecture on Political Economy and National Integration
By Divine Perezide
Bayelsa State – The Faculty of Social Sciences at the Federal University Otuoke (FUO) is set to host a one-day public lecture on the pressing issues of local government council and state creation, as well as resource control in Nigeria. The event, themed “The Political Economy of Local Government Council/State Creation and Resource Control: Implications for National Integration in Nigeria,” is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
The venue for the event is the Prof Seth Accra Jaja School of Postgraduate Studies Conference Hall at FUO, and it promises to be a platform for robust discussions on governance, economic policy, and national unity.
The lecture will be graced by distinguished academics and experts in political economy. The Vice-Chancellor of FUO, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, will serve as the Chief Host, while Prof. Francis A. Oluleye, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, will be the Host. The keynote speaker for the event is Prof. Benjamin Okaba, a renowned scholar and the President of the Ijaw National Congress.
This public lecture aims to provide insights into the socio-economic and political dynamics of state and local government administration in Nigeria. It will also explore how resource control impacts national integration, a subject of great significance in Nigeria’s federal system.
Academics, students, policymakers, and members of the public interested in governance and national development are encouraged to attend.
For further inquiries, interested participants can contact Dr. Anthony C. Okoye (08060101369) or Dr. Gboyega K. Oyeniran (08033872053).
Stay tuned for more updates on this event and other academic engagements at Federal University Otuoke.
By Warefa Pereke.
April 2, 2025.
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Iduwini Voice Newspaper, Dr. Bibaikefie Clintin Peretengboro, has extended a sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all donors, attendees, and well-wishers who contributed to the resounding success of the newspaper’s unveiling ceremony.
The highly anticipated event, which took place on March 29, 2025, at the prestigious MBB Event Center, Refinery Road Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone in the history of Iduwini Voice Newspaper.
Dr. Peretengboro expressed deep gratitude to the numerous individuals and organizations that supported the newspaper’s launch. “We are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation for the outpouring of support we received from our donors, attendees, and well-wishers,” Dr. Peretengboro said. “Your contributions, whether financial, moral, or otherwise, have been invaluable to us, and we are deeply grateful.”
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief also extended special greetings to the following persons:
Chief Dr. Julius Takeme JP. (PhD), Chairman, Burutu LGA, Hon. Julius Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President Ijaw National Congress, Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade, DG. Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Pastor Adonis Osarobo, the Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian church, Comrade Newworld Endoro, Chairman, Odimodi Community, Hon. Dennis Yenbri Bibaikefie, Mr. Akin Benikrukru, PIA Chairman, Iduwini Host Community Development Board, Comrade Isaiah Tamaraunimi Ingo, SA to the NDDC Chairman, and the Ijaw Publishers Forum (IPF), for their tireless efforts in promoting the newspaper’s launch.
Dr. Peretengboro also thanked the organizers, volunteers, and staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event.
Iduwini Voice Newspaper is committed to providing accurate, timely, and engaging content to its readers, while promoting the values of fairness, justice, and equality. With the support of its donors, attendees, and well-wishers, the newspaper is set to make a meaningful impact in the region.
Again, we at Iduwini Voice extend our heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported the newspaper’s launch. We look forward to continuing to serve our readers and the clan with integrity, professionalism, and dedication,” Dr. Bibaikefie concluded.
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Guest Article: The Battle for Nigeria’s Oil Security – Exposing the Forces Undermining National Revenue & the Tompolo Factor
By Tosan Blessing
Long before the conspiracy of evil men led EFCC to declare Tompolo wanted over a case the EFCC could not directly pursue, a case where the facts in issue revolves around the ownership of the land upon which the Nigerian Maritime University was built for which the federal Executive council paid a paltry 13 billion out of a projected 26billion being a buy over of Mieka Diving institute, propety of Tompolo, which property became part of the charter facility of the Nigerian Maritime University, Tompolo and some itsekiri elements were the ones the pipeline security contract was given. Soon after in the unwarranted and cynical rage of the then Hon Minister of Transportation, the contract was pulled off Tompolo and given to one of the APC ilks known for circumvention and volte face characteristics. Once this company this guy represents took over it became business as usual. Even the companys MD/CEO visited Tompolo and said he was going to offer him 900m as part of his commitment to rein in him into what they were doing in the oil river but known for being averse to greed, Tompolo refused, telling that company’s MD/CEO to go ahead with his job, that they are brothers. No one raised the issue of the scope of works given to that company then. Under the watch of that company over 80 percent of oil revenue went into private pockets. At this time the nations foreign reserves began to deplete. The sub national governments began to live by Paris loans refund. No Nigerian or CIvil societies organisations questioned the activities of that interlocutor survellance company. It took Mr Bashir Jamoh a then DG of NIMASA, even in the seeding congruence of losing his job to allege that the new company engaged in pipeline protection for NNPC and by extension ancillary revenue sourcing for NIMASA had not been able to meet its projected revenue ceiling. He insisted that a previous Messrs Global West run by Tompolo and others, evilly removed from the job by the conspiracy of evil power brokers in government then was doing better and collecting thrice as much to breaking its given fiscal ceiling. The NNPC board ruffled by the alarm coming from a government agency announced it was taking its part of the job of pipeline surveillance from that company. It was at this instance given the energy emergency, that Tantita came on a national rescue and in quick raids it conducted even against the open aversion for its operation by some elements of the military, the nation is beginning to see the results- illegal pipelines here and there have been toppled, arrest and decommissioning of bunkering vessels, sacking of kpofire artesanal activities, and other evil grandstanders running kiti kiti kata kata. Now that oil revenue has peaked the evil profiteers have re emerged and in the name of legal actions are asking for an order mandamus for Tantita to produce the scope of its assignment. I argue that Tantita has no business with any third party intruder on the job it got freehold from the NNPCL that was publicly quoted and bidded for. Any one asking for such spurious order should approach the NNPCL. I further argue that if God cannot manage his own people in Egypt but ensured all of them died in a difficult journey through the wilderness, the presidency needs to go after these evil men who ensured this countrys export output had remained at a perilous margin with concomitant effect on the country’s GDP and growth economics to clear their doubts of their evil demeanours everywhere and their accomplices. I think if the government can summon the will to do this it will checkmate this errant attitude of criminals who still want to ensure that the Nigerian State remain rentier.