News
Otuaro Credits Tinubu for Expanded PAP Scholarship Agenda
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has attributed the programme’s increasing deployment of onshore and offshore scholarship beneficiaries to what he described as the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Otuaro made this known on Thursday during a pre-departure orientation held at the PAP headquarters in Abuja for another batch of 25 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries heading to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025/2026 academic year.
The orientation featured sessions on cultural adaptation, academic expectations and scholarship administration, as well as the presentation of laptops to all beneficiaries to support research and thesis work.
According to PAP, the scholars will pursue programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence, quantity surveying and commercial management, cyber security, business analytics, advanced structural engineering, data science, finance and financial technology, international law and security, and public health.
Represented by his Technical Assistant, Edgar Biu, Otuaro said the President’s approval for increased PAP budgetary allocation enabled the programme to expand its scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and post-graduate studies.
He stated that Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment” has strengthened PAP as an instrument for manpower development in the Niger Delta, noting that this aligns with broader national development goals.
“We are extremely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his wholesome and strong commitment to this Programme, not only in terms of policy direction but also funding,” Otuaro said.
He noted that the PAP previously “used to run on a low budget annually, but the President graciously approved an increase,” adding that this development has made it possible “to deploy more and more scholarship beneficiaries.”
Otuaro also acknowledged the role of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whose office provides direct supervision for the PAP, saying Ribadu has “worked tirelessly” with the agency to achieve measurable milestones under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We also appreciate immensely the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whose supervision this office falls directly under. He has worked tirelessly with us to make sure that this Programme achieves the tangibles and milestones under the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Otuaro urged them to remain focused, excel academically and conduct themselves responsibly in their host environment.
“So I urge you to be focused as you embark on this academic journey (to the United Kingdom), a journey that promises so much,” he said. “Make good use of this opportunity to shine and the sky will be the limit for every one of you. When you complete your programme, return home to contribute your quota to the development of the Niger Delta and our country.”
He further reminded the scholars that PAP’s scholarship scheme is not an end in itself but “a pathway to changing the narrative” by building the human capital needed for the Niger Delta’s social, economic and political growth.
By Ezinne
Operations at the Lagos ports were disrupted on Friday as tensions escalated between freight forwarders and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over a controversial increase in local shipping charges.
Hundreds of clearing agents and freight forwarders staged a massive protest at the company’s Lagos office, demanding an immediate reversal of what they described as “arbitrary and astronomical” tariff hikes. The protesters decried the rising cost of clearing goods, warning that the new charges would further strain businesses and worsen inflationary pressures across the country.
The protest, spearheaded by five major freight forwarding associations, accused MSC of implementing unilateral price adjustments without obtaining the required regulatory approval from the the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
In swift response, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Barrister Akutah Pius Ukeyima, intervened, calling for calm and urging all parties to embrace dialogue.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the freight forwarders, Ukeyima warned that the disruption of port operations could have far-reaching consequences, including port congestion, delays in cargo clearance, and potential international trade penalties.
“The shutting down of shipping operations is a drastic measure that could negatively impact the entire maritime supply chain,” he stated.
The Council has consequently summoned both MSC management and representatives of the protesting associations to an emergency Conflict Resolution Meeting scheduled for early next week, aimed at resolving the impasse through established regulatory frameworks.
Freight forwarders insist that the new tariff structure—affecting container handling and administrative fees—will significantly increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports. They have vowed to sustain the protest until MSC suspends the charges and agrees to a transparent review process.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the timing of the dispute, noting that global shipping costs are already under pressure due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Experts warn that prolonged local conflicts within the maritime sector could deter foreign investment and further destabilize Nigeria’s trade environment.
Reaffirming its statutory mandate, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council emphasized that no shipping line is permitted to increase charges without adhering to the Notification and Negotiation Protocol, assuring stakeholders of a “fair and firm” resolution process.
By Ezinne
The ripple effects of the escalating conflict in the Middle East have begun to impact Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a fresh increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
As of Saturday, March 21, the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility raised its ex-gantry price to ₦1,245 per litre, up from the previous ₦1,175, representing an increase of nearly six percent.
Management of the refinery attributed the adjustment to the “unprecedented surge” in global crude oil prices, largely driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving . Industry data indicates that has consistently traded above $114 per barrel, significantly raising the cost of sourcing crude feedstock.
In a statement, refinery officials noted that while the facility remains committed to serving as a “local shield” for African energy security, it cannot remain insulated from global market realities, particularly the rising war-risk premiums affecting international oil supply chains.
Analysts warn that the development is likely to trigger a fresh round of fuel price increases across Nigeria, as marketers adjust pump prices to reflect transportation, distribution, and logistics costs. Projections suggest that petrol prices in several states could soon exceed ₦1,350 per litre.
Despite the increase, the Dangote Refinery continues to be regarded as the most dependable source of refined petroleum products in the region, especially as traditional import routes through the Red Sea remain disrupted by ongoing hostilities.
The latest price adjustment underscores Nigeria’s continued vulnerability to global oil market fluctuations, even as efforts to boost local refining capacity gain momentum.
By Ezinne
In a major boost to Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully dismantled several terrorist hideouts in Bauchi State, recovering arms and ammunition during a coordinated “search and destroy” operation.
Military sources disclosed that the operation, carried out within the last 24 hours, targeted insurgent enclaves concealed within dense forest areas bordering neighbouring states. The offensive led to the destruction of multiple makeshift camps used by the terrorists as operational bases for launching attacks on vulnerable rural communities.
According to reports, several insurgents were neutralized during the raid, while others escaped with gunshot wounds into surrounding difficult terrain.
Items recovered from the operation include a cache of weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and communication equipment believed to have been used for kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General , confirmed the development, attributing the success of the mission to credible intelligence provided by local vigilante groups and residents.
He further revealed that troops have established a temporary forward operating base in the affected area to prevent any regrouping of fleeing insurgents and to sustain ongoing clearance operations.
Residents of the impacted local government areas have been urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, particularly individuals seeking treatment for gunshot wounds, to security agencies.
The latest operation underscores the Nigerian military’s intensified campaign to rid the North-East region of terrorist elements and restore lasting peace to affected communities.