The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has dispatched another 150 Niger Delta youths for postgraduate studies in universities across the United Kingdom.
The Administrator of PAP, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, said the scholarship programme was designed to strengthen human capital development, promote peace and prepare young people in the region for greater responsibilities.
Speaking at a pre-departure orientation for the beneficiaries on Friday, Otuaro said the latest deployment brought the number of PAP-sponsored beneficiaries sent to the UK this year to 243, following earlier deployments in January and May.
He said about 270 beneficiaries were already studying in UK universities in fields including cybersecurity, software engineering, data science, law, forensic auditing, fintech, construction management, public health and oil and gas engineering.
Otuaro described the scholarship scheme as a long-term investment in the future of the Niger Delta.
“We are again to send some of the most brilliant and vibrant youths of the Niger Delta for post-graduate studies in select disciplines in the UK.”
He attributed the expansion of the programme to the support of President Bola Tinubu, saying the initiative was contributing to peace, security and development in the region.
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The PAP administrator also called on Niger Delta people to support President Tinubu, particularly in the 2027 general elections, as a way of appreciating his administration’s support for the region.
According to him, PAP currently has about 8,700 beneficiaries studying in Nigerian institutions, while several others have graduated from both local and foreign universities.
Otuaro urged the new beneficiaries to remain focused on their studies, obey the laws of their host country and return home after graduation to contribute to national development.
Two beneficiaries, Opukeme Gideon, who will study Cyber Security at the University of Aberdeen, and Afiyagba Peredisabofa, who will study Oil and Gas at Coventry University, thanked the Federal Government and PAP for the opportunity.
They promised to work hard and make the Niger Delta and Nigeria proud.
Stakeholders including the Chairman of PANDEF, Dr Boladei Igali, Niger Delta University lecturer Prof. Ben Binebai, activist Ann-Kio Briggs, Delta State Senior Policy Adviser Funkekeme Solomon and Ijaw Youth Council President Dr Doubra Okotete commended the scholarship initiative.
They described the programme as an investment capable of benefiting generations of young people in the Niger Delta.
The beneficiaries also received orientation on academic expectations, social and cultural differences, security considerations and financial management while studying abroad.
