Mkpoikana Udoma


Port Harcourt —

To enhance academic achievement and digital proficiency among its scholars, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has initiated the distribution of laptops to final-year and postgraduate students enrolled in their scholarship program after a six-year anticipation for this form of assistance.

During two distinct events organized at Nile University and Baze University in Abuja, 64 students—including 60 senior undergraduate students, three graduate students, and one doctoral candidate—were presented with individual laptops as part of the initial stage of the laptop distribution program.

At the presentation ceremonies held at Nile and Baze universities, PAP Administrator Dr. Dennis Otuaro commented that this act fulfilled his commitment to the scholarship recipients, which he had made during his visit to collaborating institutions in 2024.

He mentioned that the office acknowledged how beneficial the mobile computing devices can be for students’ academic achievements, particularly when they are getting ready to work on their end-of-year projects, theses, and dissertations.

Otuaro, who was represented at the event by Ebikpolade Zorab, the interim administrator for PAP, and Ebimene Jackson, the secretary to the leader of PAP, encouraged the students to utilize the laptops effectively and fulfill the purpose behind this act of kindness.

Speaking to the students, he mentioned, “As the inaugural group of PAP scholarship recipients getting these laptops, you will be followed by distributions extended to other beneficiaries at partner institutions.”

I recommend and urge you to utilize these resources effectively for your academic advancement. These laptops should enable you to achieve high grades in your projects since you now possess mobile devices designed to support your educational efforts.

Otuaro restated his leadership’s steadfast dedication to narrowing the human capital development deficit in the Niger Delta, all while striving for lasting peace, security, stability, and progress within the area.

He additionally conveyed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his robust backing of the PAP and for endorsing the program’s educational, vocational, and various other initiatives aimed at fulfilling its mission in the Niger Delta as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Previously, Dr. Charles Ariye, who leads education at PAP, mentioned that scholarship recipients hadn’t been provided with laptops over the last six years. He also noted that the organization aims to improve digital skills among its students.

“We find ourselves in the digital era where smartphones play a significant role, and laptops allow us to accomplish even more tasks. This initiative is also designed to support the objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Program by offering high-quality university education,” he stated.

During courtesy calls made to him by representatives from PAP officials, the registrar of Nile University, David Olowola, along with his peer at Baze University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, praised the administrator for recognizing the importance of supplying laptops to scholarship recipients to support their studies.

They also expressed their institutions’ wish to consistently collaborate with the program to cultivate the necessary workforce for national progress and growth.

Several recipients of the laptop initiative, such as the representatives of PAP scholars at the two institutions—Eperetun Gboroteiye from Nile University and Pedro Timotubo from Baze University—as well as Oyinlayefa Ogiriki, Mina Ikiba, Friday Dunu, and Martha Tuwabere, expressed their gratitude to the leader of PAP. They mentioned that these personal computers would significantly aid them in their various projects and studies.