••• AS 26 AMNESTY STUDENTS BAG FIRST CLASS IN IGBINEDION VARSITY
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has promised to sustain President Bola Tinubu’s vision of sustainable peace and security in the Niger Delta by effectively implementing the Amnesty Programme to build confidence in the region.
Dr Otuaro gave this assurance while being hosted by the Vice Chancellor of Igbenedion University, State Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye at Okada on Wednesday.
The Administrator of the Amnesty Programme was in the university as part of his tour of partnering institutions for agencies y’s scholarship scheme in the Niger Delta.
He stated that, “The Amnesty Programme is crucial for fostering enduring peace in the Niger Delta. By implementing it efficiently and effectively, we can garner greater support for the federal government’s efforts to promote security and development in the Niger Delta. That is the President’s vision which I seek to execute.’’
He further commended the management of Igbenedion University for being the first to accept Amnesty students at the early stage of the PAP’s scholarship in spite of the initial hitches.
Otuaro noted that over the years the collaboration between the Amnesty Programme and the University has yielded good dividends through the number of sponsored students who have graduated with beautiful grades and have become successful in their chosen careers.
“ I want to specially thank the Igbenedion University. Over the years, this University is one of our success stories. Many of our students who graduated here have gone on to become exceptional in their chosen fields. Our partnership is working, and together we are building the manpower of the people of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
He also told the University management that the Amnesty Programme is open to further collaboration between it and the University beyond formal education, as the Programme seeks to expand its vocational training initiatives.
Responding, Prof Ezemonye stated that he was impressed with the quality of the Amnesty students at the institution, explaining that over 1000 Amnesty students had been registered with the University and about 26 of them made first-class grades.
He also revealed that a good number of the students went on to make distinctions in their master’s and doctoral degrees, adding that two of the former students had been offered employment at the University because of their quality.
The Vice Chancellor commended the PAP for meeting the obligations of the students under scholarship and put them in the vantage position to excel.
He promised a strengthened collaborative relation with the PAP in the area of offering opportunities to students in competitive courses like medicine and surgery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law and others especially with the recent increase in its quota of admission.
He said that the institution which is celebrating its silver jubilee anniversary ensured that there is no discrimination against Amnesty students as they share hostels and other facilities with other students.
