The National President of the National Association for Presidential Amnesty Students (NAPAS) Worldwide, Comr. Ebidouwei Messiah Miyenpirigha, on Saturday, delivered a rousing welcome address at the 2025 NAPAS Summit, held at the prestigious Michael and Cecilia Ibru University (MCIU), Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, Delta State.
Speaking before an audience comprising top dignitaries, students, stakeholders, and representatives of key Niger Delta institutions, Comr. Miyenpirigha expressed immense pleasure in welcoming the Father of the Day, Chairman of the Day, and Guest Speaker of the summit, represented by Hon. Aloysius Ekwealor and Hon. Tari Toru Williams respectively. He also acknowledged the presence of the MCIU Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, representatives of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ijaw Publishers Forum, the media, and other invited guests.
The summit, themed “Human Capital Empowerment as a Panacea for Economic Development in the Niger Delta Region,” provided a platform for students and leaders to discuss and explore strategies for youth productivity and regional advancement.
Comr. Miyenpirigha emphasized that the gathering was not just an event but a convergence of intellectual minds committed to progress and the transformation of the Niger Delta. “This summit provides a platform to exchange knowledge and strategies for progress,” he said, urging participants to actively engage in the conversations that would shape the future of the region.
In his speech, he also paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), acknowledging the sacrifices of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, HRM Michael Ateke Tom, HRM Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Ex-General Ezekiel Akpasibewei, Hon. Aroni Oputu, Ex-General Aso Tambo, and others who played pivotal roles in restoring peace to the region.
Highlighting the contributions of the current administration, Comr. Miyenpirigha praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointing High Chief Dennis Otuaro, Ph.D., as the Coordinator of the PAP. He described Otuaro as a selfless and visionary leader whose efforts have redefined the core mandate of the programme.
Among the laudable achievements of the current PAP administration under Otuaro, the NAPAS President cited:
Increased In-Training Allowance (ITA) for law students;
Deployment of over 2,000 students to onshore and offshore tertiary institutions;
Training of more than 200 delegates in vocational and professional skills;
Provision of laptops to beneficiaries, ending a long wait under past administrations.
Calling for unity and unwavering support, he encouraged delegates and stakeholders to resist all distractions and baseless allegations against Dr. Otuaro, adding that, “What his administration has achieved in one year, others couldn’t accomplish in over a decade.”
As the summit progressed, the NAPAS President also unveiled the NAPAS 2025 Financial Empowerment Initiative, urging leaders to economically support the vision of empowering students to become job creators and drivers of economic development.
In his closing remarks, Comr. Miyenpirigha appreciated the founders of NAPAS for their foresight in establishing a platform that connects students, reinforces activism, and builds future leaders of the Niger Delta.
“Let us seize this opportunity to build something truly meaningful together,” he said, as he declared the summit open to deliberations.
Long live NAPAS Worldwide!
Long live PAP!
Long live the Niger Delta!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
