Presidential Amnesty Programme will benefit from MoU between Nigeria, South Africa – Otuaro

The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr Dennis Otuaro, says the agency will benefit from the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signed by Nigeria and South Africa after the just concluded 11th Session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission, BNC.

The event took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 28th November to 3rd December, 2024.

A statement by Mr Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, said Otuaro, who led a PAP team to the event, expressed optimism that the bilateral talks and negotiations, which culminated in the harmonised Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and South Africa, would be mutually beneficial to both nations in diverse areas of economic and political interests.

Otuaro commended President Bola Tinubu for accommodating the PAP in some aspects of the official agreement, noting that the development would further streamline the framework for the implementation of training of Niger Delta youths, especially in the areas of education and commercial aviation.

He described the MoU as a huge boost to the implementation of the PAP’s objectives, stressing that it would enhance the programme’s initiatives for sustainable peace, security, stability, socio-economic growth and development in the region under the President’s renewed hope agenda.

Advertisement

The PAP administrator noted that Tinubu’s leadership provided clear directions for the active participation of the Nigerian delegation at the bilateral meeting, which he co-chaired with his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

He said the President, as head of the Nigerian delegation, demonstrated capacity and unwavering commitment to working closely with Ramaphosa to deepen and sustain the two nations’ bilateral relations and strategic cooperation within the ambit of the BNC.

The PAP helmsman further stated that the President’s gesture was a reflection of his strong support for the programme and his love for the people of the Niger Delta.

“The President demonstrated effective leadership capacity as the head of the Nigerian delegation and, of course, this provided clear directions for the active participation of our country’s delegation in the bilateral negotiations for mutual benefits in the Memorandum of Understanding.

“I am very grateful to His Excellency for the fact that the PAP will benefit from the MoU that Nigeria and South Africa will sign which will capture education and vocational training of Niger Delta youths in commercial aviation and other trade areas,” Otuaro said.