The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is seeking collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to create employment opportunities for over 18,000 trained ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the scheme.
PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, in Abuja. He explained that many of the beneficiaries had acquired qualifications and vocational skills relevant to the commission’s mandate and could contribute to national growth if engaged.
Otuaro, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Igoniko Oduma, described the trained ex-agitators as an untapped resource for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“We are on a mission to seek support and collaboration with government agencies like the NCC to see how some of them can be engaged so that they can contribute their quota to national development,” he said.
“The whole scope of the programme centres on national and human security, where the beneficiaries are trained in formal education and vocational skills, including information technology. So far, we have over 18,000 persons who have been trained. These are potential human resources that should be harnessed for national development,” Otuaro added.
He stressed that the post-training phase of the programme includes employment and empowerment, with several beneficiaries holding advanced degrees, including doctorates, and therefore capable of contributing meaningfully to the workforce.
Responding, the NCC Chief Executive, Dr. Maida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to offering support and equal opportunities without bias. He, however, emphasised the need for visible value and impact from interventions.
He noted that the NCC remained committed to its mandate as a regulatory body while working to expand digital connectivity nationwide. Maida also underscored the importance of securing critical infrastructure against vandalism to protect digital assets and ensure sustainable access.
