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.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.