The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has sent another batch of 15 scholarship beneficiaries to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development in the Niger Delta.
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The beneficiaries, who departed on Thursday, will study different master’s degree programmes including biomedical science, oil and gas engineering, cyber security, data science, software engineering, automotive engineering, communication culture and media, among others.
The deployment was announced during a pre-departure briefing held at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, where the Administrator of the programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, said several of the students earned the opportunity after graduating with first-class honours in their undergraduate studies.
At the briefing, PAP also presented laptops to each of the scholars to support their academic work while studying in the UK.
Otuaro said the continued expansion of both local and foreign scholarship opportunities under the programme was possible because of the backing of President Bola Tinubu and the supervision of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
He said the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration and is aimed at building a more educated and productive generation in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the programme is focused on preparing young people from the region to contribute meaningfully to peace, development and economic growth after completing their studies abroad.
“All the scholarship deployments and the monumental successes we have achieved are as a result of the strong support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the efficient supervision by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” Otuaro said.
He urged the students to conduct themselves properly while abroad and return to Nigeria after their studies to contribute to nation-building.
“Be good ambassadors of Nigeria while in the United Kingdom, and don’t disappoint Nigeria and the Niger Delta. Do your best and return home after your studies to join hands in advancing peace and development in our communities,” he said.
The PAP Administrator said he had no regrets over the increasing number of scholarship awards being granted to Niger Delta youths, insisting that the programme was investing in the future of the region.
“I am unapologetic about the large number of scholarships that we are giving to young Niger Deltans for studies within and outside the country. I believe that we are doing the best for tomorrow and there is no regret about it,” he added.
He further stated that the programme was working towards building “a civilized, polite, educated and patriotic generation” capable of sustaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
Earlier, the Head of Education at PAP, Dr Charles Ariye, advised the students on academic conduct, lifestyle and expectations during their stay in the UK.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ikiere Victor, who will study mechanical engineering at Coventry University, thanked the Federal Government, President Tinubu and PAP for the opportunity.
Victor pledged that the scholars would represent Nigeria positively and make the most of the opportunity given to them.
