● Insists PAP Not Owning Fees In Any Institution
The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in Abuja has responded to allegations that it abandoned 5,000 Itsekiri students at Novena University, Ogume, Delta State.
In a statement released Tuesday, the PAP clarified that it owes no tuition fees, neither to Novena University nor to any other institution within Nigeria or abroad.
This response follows a viral memo from the “Office of the Sole Representative of His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri to NNPLC,” accusing the Amnesty Programme of being indebted to Novena University for all Itsekiri students who supposedly graduated under its scholarship scheme.
Collins Oritsetimeyin Edema, acting on behalf of the Olu of Warri, claimed that the alleged debt compelled the royal palace to intervene and settle the outstanding tuition and clearance fees for the affected graduates.
However, the PAP firmly denied any involvement or records of scholarship awards to the 5,000 Itsekiri students at Novena University. It stressed that any financial liability referenced in the memo is unrelated to the Amnesty Programme.
The statement revealed that a prior inquiry, led by former PAP administrations, investigated the issue and found that the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) had sent the list of 5,000 students to Novena University in 2017 without PAP’s knowledge or endorsement. Consequently, the PAP cannot be held responsible for students not officially deployed by the agency.
Signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, the statement reads:
“The PAP management wishes to categorically state that it owes no tuition fees to Novena University or any other institution for the said Itsekiri graduates. Any contrary claim is false and misleading. PAP is not indebted to any institution within or outside Nigeria.”
“To clarify, the 5,000 Itsekiri graduates were the subject of a formal investigation by a previous PAP leadership into allegations of unauthorized scholarship admissions at Novena University. Similar investigations were conducted at three other partner universities.”
“The inquiry found that the list of 5,000 students was sent by the INYC to Novena University, falsely presented as PAP scholarship beneficiaries, without the program’s authorization or approval.”
“No communication or agreement exists between PAP and Novena University regarding these students. The investigation involved meetings with INYC officials and Novena University’s Vice-Chancellor, none of whom could provide documentation confirming PAP’s involvement.”
“At the conclusion of the investigation, PAP informed Novena University that it would not assume financial responsibility for these students, as doing so would condone irregular practices.”
“All PAP administrations before the current one, led by Administrator Dr. Dennis Otuaro, accepted the findings of this investigation.”
“Under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the PAP scholarship scheme has been expanded to increase access to higher education for ex-agitators and beneficiaries, aiming to close the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta.”
“Dr. Otuaro’s reforms have been widely praised for enhancing the efficiency and inclusivity of the programme, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta.”
