By Daire Pere-ebi

Things happen everyday, and some are terrifying. Tale of hardship, moshaps, joy, goodwill, etcetera. But what if you’re told that in a tale of extraordinary endurance and resilience, British couple Maurice and Maralyn Baily survived nearly four months adrift in the Pacific Ocean after their yacht was fatally struck by a whale in 1973.

The couple had set out on a dream journey across the Pacific, having sold their home in England to embrace a life of seafaring adventure. Their voyage aboard a 31-foot yacht, Auralyn, took a devastating turn in Mar h 1973 as they sailed westward from Panama, near the Galapagos Islands.

In the early morning hours, a sperms whale collided with yacht, tearing open the hull. Within minutes, the Auralyn was beyond saving. The Baileys escaped into a small inflatable raft and dinghy, managing to retrieve a few essential items – some canned food, fishing gear, a compass, and a solar still. With no radio or emergency beacon, they were cast into one of the most remote parts of the Pacific, with little hope of immediate rescue.

What followed was an unimaginable 118-day survival ordeal. The Baileys battled the searing tropical sun, saltwater scores, dehydration, and hunger. They relied on collected rainwater for hydration and fashioned rudimentary tools from safety pins and yacht remnants to catch fish, turtles, and even birds. Their bodies withered from malnutrition, their clothing deteriorated, and their nights were filed with uncertainty as distant ships passed them by, unaware of their desperate situation.

Despite the hardship, the couple remained committed to surviving together. Climbing to each other through frigid nights and burning days, they pushed through the extremes of isolation and physical suffering.

Salvation finally came on June 30, 1973, when a South Korean fishing vessel spotted them and pulled them aboard. The Baileys, frail and emaciated but alive, were taken to Hawaii for recovery.

Their harrowing experience, later detailed in their memoir 117 Days Adrift, drew international attention and became a symbol of unbreakable human spirit.

Remarkably, the trauma of their ordeal did not deter them from the sea—they returned to sailing, their passion unshaken by the vast ocean that once nearly claimed their lives.

The Baileys’ story remains one of the most compelling sagas of survival ever recorded, a testament to courage, love, and sheer willpower against the unforgiving forces of nature.

By Favour Bibaikefie

Abuja, Nigeria – In a commendable display of appreciation, ‘Gen.’ Dennis Kpaidia, leader of the Tantita Odimodi Unit, has lauded the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro (PhD.), for his unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and leadership development in the Niger Delta.

This follows the commencement of a three-day day intensive training programme on Peacebuilding, Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation, organised by the PAP in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja.

The training, held in the Federal Capital Territory, brought together selected youth and community leaders from various communities across the Iger Delta. The initiative forms part of the reintegration phase of the Amnesty Programme, aimed at equipping key stakeholders with tools for the effective leadership, dialogue, and nonviolent conflict resolution in order to forestall imminent intercommunity crisis.

Speaking to IduwiniVoice, Kpaidia expressed profound gratitude to Dr. Otuaro over what he described as a “visionary leadership style that prioritizes the growth and peaceful coexistence of the region.”He noted that such training sessions are vital in deepening participants’ understanding of conflict dynamics and in strengthening local structures for sustainable peace.

“This training has opened our eyes to new methods of resolving disputes peacefully and building consensus in our communities. I thank Chief Dr. Otuaro for investing in our future of the Niger Delta youth and for giving us the tolls to lead rightly.” Kaidia State.

The peacebuilding programme is expected to continue over the next two days, with sessions facilitated by security and conflict resolution experts, mediators, and development professionals from both civil and military backgrounds.

As the region continues its journey towards lasting peace and sustainable development, initiatives like this stand out as evidence of the evolving impact of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro’s stewardship.

By Divine Perezide

Abuja, Nigeria – July 2025:

In a decisive step towards enhancing leadership effectiveness and deepening peace efforts in the Niger Delta, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, has flagged off a three-day intensive training session in Abuja.

The programme, organised in partnership with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), is taking place at the NARC complex in Asokoro and is tailored to empower key stakeholders from the Niger Delta with strategic peacebuilding.

Themed “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Mediation, ” the training seeks to develop the knowledge, skills, and Attitudes (KSAs) required for participants to play active roles in conflict management and community-level Mediation. The initiative is expected to strengthen the leadership capacity of participants while promoting sustainable peace and social harmony in the region.

Speaking on the essence of the initiative, officials of the Amnesty Programme noted that the training reflects the renewed focus of Chief Dr. Otuaro’s administration on community empowerment and the the prevention of conflict through dialogue and nonviolent engagement.

“This programme is a vital step in building responsible, proactive leadership within the Niger Delta,” a PAP spokesperson remarked. “It’s about equipping our people not just with skills, but with the mindset to foster peace and drive development.”

The training also underscores the Amnesty Office’s commitment to broadening the scope of post-conflict reintegration efforts beyond economic development by institutionalizing community-driven peace strategies.

Participants included community leaders, youth influences, and stakeholders drawn from various Niger Delta communities who are expected to return home with practical tools to mediate disputes and foster collaboration.

The initiative aligns with PAP’s broader vision to consolidate peace gains and stimulate economic development through a culture of dialogue, leadership accountability, and conflict transformation.