The national leadership of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), under the chairmanship of Gen. Elaye Dollar Slaboh, has commended the Interim Administrator, Dr. Dennis Brutu Atuaro, for his strategic efforts in repositioning the programme and restoring it to its original mandate.
In a press briefing held in Abuja, Gen. Slaboh hailed Dr. Atuaro’s leadership as “visionary, reform-driven, and deeply rooted in the aspirations of the Niger Delta people.” He noted that the recent policy adjustments and renewed focus on empowerment, training, and reintegration of ex-agitators are clear indications that the Amnesty Programme is being realigned with the core objectives outlined at its inception in 2009.
According to Gen. Slaboh, “For years, the Amnesty Programme was gradually derailing from its foundational vision. However, under Dr. Dennis Brutu Atuaro, we are witnessing a welcome return to purposeful leadership. His commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusion has rekindled hope among beneficiaries, especially within the Third Phase category.”
The Third Phase leadership acknowledged several recent initiatives introduced by Dr. Atuaro’s administration, including:
Streamlined vocational training tailored to modern economic demands
Transparent data verification to eliminate ghost beneficiaries
Renewed stakeholder engagement across all phases of the programme
Strengthened partnerships with local institutions and international agencies for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship
Gen. Slaboh further emphasized that these reforms are gradually restoring trust and unity among ex-agitators, many of whom had lost confidence in the programme due to years of neglect and mismanagement.
He also urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups in the Niger Delta, to support Dr. Atuaro’s vision, stressing that unity and cooperation are vital to sustaining peace and development in the region.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme was never meant to be a political tool—it was designed to restore dignity and economic self-reliance to our people. Dr. Atuaro is walking that path with integrity,” he added.
The Third Phase leadership reaffirmed their total support for the current administration and called on the Federal Government to give Dr. Atuaro the needed resources and political backing to fully implement his vision.
