…Says Beneficiaries Were Never Under Amnesty Scholarship
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has dismissed claims that it is indebted to Novena University, Ogume, Delta State, over tuition fees for 5,000 Itsekiri graduates allegedly enrolled under its scholarship scheme.
In a statement issued Tuesday by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, PAP, the agency clarified that it does not owe fees in Novena University or in any other institution within or outside Nigeria.
The reaction followed assertions by Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, described as the representative of His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri to NNPLC, who alleged that the Amnesty Programme was indebted to the university, prompting the Olu’s palace to announce an intervention to settle the supposed arrears of tuition and clearance fees for the affected graduates.
PAP, however, said records showed that no such scholarship award was made to the 5,000 Itsekiri indigenes, explaining that an official inquiry carried out by a previous administration of the agency had established that the students were forwarded to Novena University in 2017 by the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) without any authorization from the Amnesty Office.
“The management of PAP wishes to state unequivocally that it is not owing Novena University any tuition fees on account of the said Itsekiri graduates and any claim to the contrary is totally false, baseless, and represents an attempt to stand truth on its head,” the statement said.
The agency stressed that the investigation uncovered no correspondence between PAP and Novena University approving the list of 5,000 Itsekiri students. During the probe, officials of Novena, led by the Vice-Chancellor, reportedly could not produce any documentation linking the students to the Amnesty Programme.
At the conclusion of the exercise, PAP formally informed the institution that it would not assume liability for the students since doing so would amount to “encouraging sharp practices.”
The statement further noted that all successive PAP administrations, including the current leadership under Dr. Dennis Otuaro, had upheld the findings of the inquiry.
PAP also highlighted reforms initiated by Dr. Otuaro, including expansion of the scholarship scheme to provide greater access to higher education for ex-agitators and beneficiaries, in line with the human capital development drive in the Niger Delta.
The agency added that Dr. Otuaro’s inclusive policies were designed to complement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, and to ensure efficient service delivery to the people of the Niger Delta.
Efforts to reach out to the Olu of Warri for comments on the matter were not successful as of press time.
