Ex-Agitators Group, Otuaro Foundation Meet in Delta, Propose Empowerment, Workshop, Grants
By Ezekiel Kagbala
Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation (CDBOF) and the Presidential Amnesty Beneficiaries Initiative (PABI) have partnered to organize a two-day empowerment training workshop for Ex-agitators and widows of fallen agitators in the Niger Deltan region.
The agreement was sealed at a joint meeting of the two groups which took place on Wednesday at the Godspenal International Conference Hall, Ogunu, Warri, Delta State.
The meeting resolved that "widows of fallen exigatitors and some Ex agitators who have not undergone training need to be empowered with soft business skills and grants through the proposed progamme".
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Beneficiary Initiative (PABI), Comrade Preye Joseph during the meeting, disclosed that "PABI will be collaborating with Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation (CDBOF) to initiate a training aimed at empowering Amnesty beneficiaries who have special needs while the programme will be held across the Niger Delta region".
Executive members of Chief Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation who attended the meeting include the Coordinator, Chief Tina Tobusi; Comrade Jennifer Oki; Mike Gbakena; Hon Efie Stephen Bibi; Isaiah Meeting and a host of others.
On the other hand, members of the Presidential Amnesty Beneficiaries Initiative in attendance comprised of Comrade Preye Joseph; Chief Frank Akiefa; Seibi Tarede Fredrick Elebucha and Timi Famous.
Others include Forbu Yinlayefa; Ebifiyeboju; Talbort Okuboere; Promis Ekpokposei Oringeriya; Comrade Ikinbor Margaret; Comrade Felix Okpe and Hon. Somina Igani.
In his opening remarks, Preye Joseph, underscored the importance of the initiative noting that "every Niger Deltan is a beneficiary of the Amnesty Programme either directly or indirectly".
He explained that even though some persons may not be benefiting directly, they may have their relatives or someone close to them benefiting.
"This buttress the need for all direct or indirect beneficiaries to support the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dennis Otuaro and the Amnesty Programme for Niger Deltans to benefit more", he stated.
It was however gathered that Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation (CDBOF) was established since 2021 to support human capital development, education, fostering positive change and sustainable development in the Niger Delta and beyond.
It was further gathered that the Foundation could function more effectively, even now that Dennis Otuaro is the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to support less privileged and vonerable ones.
A member of the Foundation, Comrade Jennifer Oki, further disclosed that "The Foundation was established to improve the socioeconomic conditions and overall well-being of Niger Deltan people and their communities".
She said, "The Foundation seeks to empower people through education, skill acquisition and other community development initiatives such as Educational Support, Skill Acquisition and Empowerment.
"Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation is also focused on providing scholarships, educational materials and support to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this includes sponsoring tuition fees, providing learning resources, and facilitating access to quality education".
Also speaking, a youth leader, Chief Frank Akiefa disclosed that Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro Foundation and the Presidential Amnesty Beneficiary are collaborating to address socioeconomic challenges faced by some Ex-agitators who do not have opportunities to access formal education.
They need a short term training and economic opportunities.The groups jointly setup committees to rally round and ensure the immediate startup of the proposed training and empowerments programme.
Spokesperson of Dennis Otuaro Foundation, Chief Godwin Seiya, in his closing remarks submitted that the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro "has brought in more innovations and has revatilised the Amnesty Programme to assume an enviable dimension".
