The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has commenced the distribution of laptops to its final-year and postgraduate scholarship beneficiaries in partner universities across Nigeria.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator.
In the first phase of the initiative, 64 students, including 60 final-year undergraduates, one doctoral candidate, and three master’s degree students received laptops at Nile University and Baze University.
Twenty-five students benefited at Nile University, while 39 received theirs at Baze University during presentation ceremonies in two different days
The PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, had earlier pledged this support during his 2024 tour of the participating institutions. He emphasised the critical role of technology in academic success, particularly for students preparing to complete their final-year projects, theses, and dissertations.
“The office recognises the usefulness of mobile computing devices, especially for students preparing to write their final-year projects, theses, and dissertations,” Otuaro noted.
Representing the Administrator at the events were the Acting Head of Administration, Ebikpolade Zorab, and Secretary to the Administrator, Ebimene Jackson.
They urged the students to make the most of the devices and highlighted that they were the first group to receive such support under the current administration.
Dr Otuaro encouraged the scholars to maximise the opportunity, saying: “I advise and encourage you to make good use of it for your academic progress.
“With these laptops, if you were to make a low grade in your project, we expect that you will score excellent grades because you now have portable computers to enhance your academic endeavours.”
He also reaffirmed his commitment to closing the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta and contributing to peace, security, and stability in the region.
Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of the PAP’s educational and vocational training initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr Charles Ariye, Head of Education at PAP, highlighted that this marks the first time in six years that scholarship recipients are receiving laptops.
He stressed the importance of digital tools in the academic journey, saying, “We are in a digital age. You are doing a lot with your phones, and with your laptop, you can do more.”
Registrars of both universities, David Olowola (Nile University) and Professor Abiodun Adeniyi (Baze University), lauded the PAP for the initiative and expressed their commitment to continued collaboration, noting the significance of developing skilled manpower for national growth.
Student leaders Eperetun Gboroteiye (Nile) and Pedro Timotubo (Baze), along with beneficiaries including Oyinlayefa Ogiriki, Mina Ikiba, Friday Dunu, and Martha Tuwabere, expressed gratitude for the laptops, acknowledging their potential to enhance their academic efforts.
The distribution forms part of PAP’s broader efforts to support the educational development of its scholars by equipping them with essential tools for academic excellence.
