News
PAP: “We Will Carry Our Women Along” – Dr. Otuaro
* Otuaro Pledges Inclusivity for Niger Delta Women at Stakeholders Meeting
By Divine Perezide
Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), reaffirmed his commitment to empowering Niger Delta women during a stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday. Acknowledging the vital role women play in ensuring peace and stability in the region, Otuaro extended a hand of fellowship, assuring them of greater inclusion in the ongoing initiatives under PAP.
In his address, Otuaro acknowledged that women were among the earliest and most affected by the Niger Delta struggle, yet they were largely left out when the PAP was initially established. Under his leadership, he promised to rectify this oversight and ensure that women are integral to the programme’s initiatives.
Highlighting the progress made so far, Otuaro revealed that nearly 780 women have been provided educational opportunities, 1,389 have received vocational training, and around 1,000 have been economically empowered. He emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment, noting that their involvement is key to fostering peace and building stronger communities in the Niger Delta.
In his speech, Otuaro stated: “Our mothers, you were the first casualties in the Niger Delta struggle. However, under my administration, women will be prioritized in the Amnesty Programme. While much has been done, including sending 780 women to school and training over 1,300, more remains to be achieved. Women’s empowerment is essential to the peace-building process in the region.”
Otuaro encouraged the women to take full advantage of the educational and vocational opportunities available through PAP, reiterating that their contributions are vital to the programme’s success and the region’s development. He also hinted at forthcoming post-training initiatives aimed at further empowering women to participate meaningfully in peace-building efforts.
Niger Delta activist Ms. Ankio Briggs also addressed the gathering, praising Otuaro for engaging women as crucial stakeholders. Briggs, reflecting on her long involvement in the Niger Delta struggle, highlighted the exclusion of many women who made sacrifices during the fight for justice in the region. She emphasized that the peace process in the Niger Delta cannot be complete without recognizing the contributions of women.
Briggs said, “Women have been at the forefront of this struggle, from the days of Camp 5 to the Amnesty era, yet many have been left out of the PAP. It’s vital that the government recognizes women’s role in the peace process, as true peace cannot be achieved without their involvement.”
Chief Vero Tamigbe, speaking on behalf of the women, expressed gratitude to Otuaro for prioritizing women’s voices and for recognizing their crucial role in the peace-building process of the Niger Delta. She lauded the administrator’s efforts in ensuring that women are included in PAP and urged continued collaboration for the region’s development.
Otuaro concluded by reassuring the women that PAP would continue to focus on their inclusion, with upcoming programmes designed to further support their empowerment and foster lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.
By: Divine Perezide
Congratulatory messages continue to pour in as Warri-borne business tycoon, and Delta Ijaw APC leader, Madam Beauty Warezuwowei makes the list of members recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into the reconstituted Governing Council and Board of Trustees of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP). Reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to tackling environmental degradation in oil-producing regions, the newly appointed board members include representatives from the Niger Delta, Ogoni Communities, NGOs, and oil-producing states, with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the council.
Read the statement announcing the appointment below:
“STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE
“PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR HYREP
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYREP), with the Minister of Environment serving as Chairman of the Council.
“The other members are Loanyie Barituka Victor, who represents the Non-governmental Organisations focused on the environment, Bright Onyebuchi Jacob, and Henry Obiabure, who represent the Niger Delta communities.
“Professor Barinedum Michael Nwibere and Barrister Baride Abdul Gwezia are the representatives of the Ogoni Community on the new Council.
“The nine oil-producing states have two representatives on the Council: Gideon Onyebuwa Melfor and Dr Ibikunle Omotehinse.
“There are four alternative members of the Council, representing Ogoniland and the Niger Delta: Rev. Canon Dr Abraham Olungwe, who was reappointed and Engr. Maeba Power Ekpobari are the alternate members of the Council representing Ogoniland. Joseph Akedesuo and Beauty Warejuowei represent the Niger Delta.
“President Tinubu also reconstituted the HYREP Board of Trustees, with Emmanuel Nwiika Deeyah reappointed chairman.
“Fred Mbombo Igwe and Dr. Fred Barivule Kpakol will represent Ogoni communities and stakeholders on the board. Mrs Dorcas Amos represents the other Niger Delta communities, while Chief Jide Damazio, who was reappointed, represents the NGOs dealing with environmental issues.
“Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
“August 11, 2025”
The appointment of Warejuwowei into the board of the HYREP, an office marking the renewed poise at restoring the badly polluted environments in the Niger Delta and advancin Ogoniland’s remediation efforts, has been applauded by people from across the region, adding that she will surely deliver meaningful contributions towards the successes of the agency and the federal government.
By: Favour Bibaikefie
Commendations pour in from across Africa as renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate, Comrade (Chief) Mulade Sheriff, has succefully defended his researh for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations at the Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
A United Nations Peace Ambassador, environmentalist, human rights activist, sports enthusiast, entrepreneur, educational promoter, and social leader, Dr. Mulade is the National Coordinator of the foremost civil rights organisation, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), also known as the Africa 4 Peace Centre.
This remarkable academic feat once again demonstrates his unwavering zeal for intellectual excellence, further cementing his reputation as a visionary leader committed to peace, justice, and development, through the instrumentality of the pursuit and acquisition of knowledge.
As he takes this leap from local, state, and national engagements to a more pronounced presence on the international stage, Nigerians can look forward to the far-reaching impact of his knowledge, which promises to translate into global opportunities for the nation and beyond.