Pauline Onyibe 
Israel Sunny-Goli, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives on Friday lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the appointment of Dennis Otuaro as the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), describing it as apt and well-suited for the Renewed Hope agenda of the president resonate across the creeks of the Niger Delta.
This was as he advised the people of the Niger Delta to see the region as a reference point in terms of prosperity.
Sunny-Goli who represented the people of Brass/Nembe federal constituency in the 9th National Assembly, described the new PAP helmsman as an astute administrator who has extensive knowledge and understanding of the Niger Delta region and its developmental needs.
He said “We must look at the bigger picture and stop being driven by narrow parochial interest. A Niger Delta region that will be a reference point in terms of the prosperity of most of its people.
“We need a Niger Delta region that will boast of a highly skilled and enterprising population, particularly among our youths. A Niger Delta region that will boast of infrastructural development comparable to what can be found in other developed nations of the world.
“And to achieve all of these, we need our best hands on the helm at the helm of affairs and this is why every well-meaning Niger Deltan must stand in solidarity with Dr Dennis Otuaro as the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”
“As an academician and activist who was an active participant in the agitation for the emancipation of the Niger Delta, Dr Otuaro is armed with a rich pedigree required for the task of leading the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“It must be noted that President Tinubu has a knack for identifying talented individuals with the right competencies to carry out given tasks and he has once again demonstrated his dexterity at picking round pegs and fitting them into round holes in his choice of Chief Otuaro as the PAP coordinator.
“I commend Mr President’s foresightedness in identifying a man with the right competence to coordinate a very important agency, that is pivotal to the sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta region and by extension improving the nation’s oil production.
“The people of the Niger Delta are elated with this appointment for the singular reason that he has the pedigree to make the impact of the Presidential Amnesty Programme felt across the region like never before.
This appointment is an opportunity for human capital development and gainful engagement for our people, which is required for the sustenance of peace in the region. the former lawmaker explained.
Sunny-Goli also expressed his dismay at the alleged sponsored protests from some disgruntled elements who are placing their parochial interest above the interest of the entire Niger Delta region.
He said the region needs all hands- to be on deck to fast-track its development adding that anything short of that will keep the region perpetually stuck in the rut of underdevelopment, especially in an era where other regions are collaborating to ensure the development of their people.
He called on President Tinubu to be wary of fifth columnists from the region who are not interested in the development of the Niger Delta nor are they interested in the success of the Renewed Hope agenda of the president in the region.
