The Presidential Amnesty Programme has commenced the distribution of laptops to its final-year and postgraduate scholarship recipients across its partner universities in Nigeria.
This development was announced in a statement released on Tuesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Igoniko Oduma.
In the initial phase of the rollout, a total of 64 students benefitting from the PAP scholarship received laptops, comprising 60 final-year undergraduates, one PhD candidate, and three master’s students.
The distribution took place at Nile University and Baze University, with 25 students from the former and 39 from the latter collecting their devices between Friday and Monday.
The initiative follows a promise made by the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, during his 2024 visits to the programme’s partner institutions.
He stressed the crucial role laptops play in the academic journey of students, especially as they approach the stage of writing their final projects and dissertations.
“The office recognises the usefulness of the mobile computing device, especially for students preparing to write their final year projects, theses, and dissertations,” Otuaro stated.
Representing Dr. Otuaro at the presentation events were the Acting Head of Administration, Ebikpolade Zorab, and the Secretary to the PAP Administrator, Ebimene Jackson.
Both officials urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity, highlighting the uniqueness of being the first cohort to receive such academic tools.
Otuaro, in his message, encouraged the students to strive for excellence, leveraging the laptops to boost their academic output.
“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 stated.
He reaffirmed his dedication to bridging the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta and to promoting peace, security, and progress in the region.
Otuaro also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued backing of PAP’s educational and vocational projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Head of Education at PAP, Dr. Charles Ariye, underscored the initiative’s significance, noting that it marked the first time in six years that beneficiaries were receiving laptops.
He emphasized the growing importance of digital literacy in today’s academic space.
“We are in a digital age. You are doing a lot with your phones, and with your laptop, you can do more,” Ariye remarked, affirming that the initiative was aligned with the programme’s goal of delivering quality university education.
The registrars of both Nile and Baze Universities, David Olowola and Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, praised PAP for its support and reiterated their institutions’ commitment to further collaboration.
They noted the value of equipping students with skills needed for national development.
Grateful scholarship recipients, including student leaders Eperetun Gboroteiye from Nile University and Pedro Timotubo from Baze University, alongside students like Oyinlayefa Ogiriki, Mina Ikiba, Friday Dunu, and Martha Tuwabere, expressed appreciation for the laptops, stating that the devices would greatly aid their academic efforts.
This distribution marks a step forward in PAP’s ongoing mission to empower its scholars with the necessary tools to excel in their studies and future careers.
