Amnesty Boss Sends Fresh Batch of Scholars to UK with Laptops and a Charge to “Make Nigeria Proud”

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is stepping up its game in human capital development as another group of bright minds from the Niger Delta prepares to jet off to the United Kingdom for advanced studies.

During a colorful pre-departure briefing held at the PAP headquarters in Abuja this week, the Programme’s Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, told the 12 selected scholars that they are carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders. He emphasized that this isn’t just a trip for a degree, but a strategic mission to bring world-class expertise back to Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

“We are sending out our best,” Otuaro told the excited beneficiaries. “There is no room for laxity. Go there, put in your best, and make a name for yourselves and for Nigeria.”

To ensure the students hit the ground running, the government didn’t just hand them flight tickets; each scholar was gifted a high-end laptop to support their research in cutting-edge fields like Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Fintech. The Administrator noted that these specific courses were “deliberately selected” to ensure that when the graduates return, they have the exact skills needed to drive the modern economy.

Dr. Otuaro was quick to thank President Bola Tinubu for the “Renewed Hope” boost, revealing that a massive increase in the programme’s budget has allowed the office to expand its scholarship reach far beyond what was previously possible. He also praised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for keeping the programme on track and focused on real results for the people of the Niger Delta.

Among the scholars is Arafiena Shekinah Nkem, heading to the University of Liverpool for a Master’s in Project Management, and Omokaro Rick Efosa, who will be specializing in Supply Chain and Logistics at Coventry University. Both expressed their gratitude, promising to fly the Nigerian flag high while mastering their crafts.

As these scholars prepare to board their flights, the message from the Amnesty Office remains clear: the government is investing heavily in their brains, and in return, it expects them to come back and lead the charge for a more developed and peaceful Niger Delta.