by Nurat Uthman
The Presidential Amnesty Programme Office on Thursday stated that no fewer than 60 students on its scholarship had made first class in different competitive disciplines between 2016 and 2023 at various partnering universities.
This was disclosed in a statement by the PAP Head of Education, Dr Charles Ariye.
Ariye said their disciplines include electrical/electronics engineering, computer science, civil engineering, accounting, law, petroleum engineering, physics, international relations, and biochemistry among others.
His adulation comes on the heels of a feat by another student on the scholarship scheme, Kemien Egbekun, who graduated with a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.77 (first class) in Law at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Delta State.
Two other students sponsored by the PAP at the same school, Oladapo Damilola and Toikumo Prosper, also bagged a second-class upper-division grade in Law.
The trio participated in the university’s 6th convocation ceremony on September 6, 2024.
Ariye explained that though the scorecard for 2024 is being awaited from the various institutions, Egbekun and her colleagues have by their academic achievements added to the growing number of PAP scholarship beneficiaries who scored similar excellent grades in various courses of study at partnering institutions
Meanwhile, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has expressed delight over the sterling academic performances of students sponsored by the Programme.
He spoke on the heels of the meritorious academic feats of the Arogbo-Ijaw-born Egbekun and others, according to a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Wednesday.
Otuaro said his administration was encouraged by the quality of academic grades achieved by the PAP scholarship students, which had become a part of the success stories of the programme in the advancement of human capital development in the Niger Delta.
The PAP boss attributed the feats of the PAP scholarship graduates to the strong support they keep receiving from President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed that it conforms with his Renewed Hope Agenda of sustainable, peace, stability and development in the region.
He stated, “We are elated by the fantastic academic performances of the Presidential Amnesty Programme scholarship scheme students. Achieving such impressive grades as first-class and second-class upper division is no mean academic feat.
“These achievements reinforce the fact that the PAP is on the right track implementing its mandate. We are delighted and encouraged by this fact, and are taking appropriate steps to deepen efforts at achieving more in educational and vocational initiatives.
“We must thank President Bola Tinubu for his strong support for the programme and the undying love he has for the people of the Niger Delta through his Renewed Hope Agenda. He is committed to sustainable peace, stability, and development in the region. He needs to be appreciated and encouraged also.”
