The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has clarified that it was not involved in the “dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta,” hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull.
It was reported that the event was held in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan’ in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
The PAP office made this clarification in a press statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, on Thursday.
The clarification was necessary due to the unfortunate linking of the PAP office with the Yenagoa dialogue in some quarters and the ongoing fraud by certain individuals who collect money from unsuspecting victims, falsely promising vocational training and empowerment benefits in the name of the office.
The statement further reiterated that beneficiaries of the office’s vocational, educational scholarship, and post-training schemes do not pay any money to access these benefits.
It quoted the PAP Administrator as warning all delegates of Phases One, Two, and Three, as well as other beneficiaries, about the ongoing fraud.
He urged them to refrain from giving money in exchange for alleged favors from the Presidential Amnesty Office.
Otuaro again called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in using the office’s name for fraudulent purposes, as a deterrent to others.
The statement read: “The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been drawn to an event held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on October 8, 2024, which centered on a ‘dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta.’
“The PAP office wishes to clarify that it was not a party to the event, which was hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan.’
“This clarification is necessary due to the misconception in some quarters that the PAP office was involved in the event.
“We are concerned that, based on the event, some individuals are impersonating the PAP office and collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public with false promises of vocational skills training and other empowerment opportunities.
“The PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, advises PAP delegates of Phases One, Two, and Three, as well as beneficiaries, to avoid participating in activities that are not officially sanctioned by the office.
“The PAP office does not demand money from potential beneficiaries for enrollment in its vocational, educational scholarship, and post-training initiatives.
“The Administrator urges security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those using the name of the PAP office to engage in fraudulent activities.
“The public should consider the PAP office uninvolved in such pay-for-engagement activities.”
