In a formal letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Voice of Warri Women Kingdom Initiative ,Mrs. Vivian Mene has appealed for fairness and inclusiveness in the upcoming appointment of the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Highlighting the historical dominance of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in leadership positions within the Programme, Mrs. Mene pointed out that five out of the six past administrators have been of Ijaw extraction, with only one exception from Edo State. This, she argues, necessitates a shift toward equitable representation by appointing a candidate from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality for the forthcoming role.
The Itsekiri people, despite contributing significantly to Nigeria’s oil wealth, have faced underrepresentation in key regional intervention structures, including the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The appeal emphasizes that many Itsekiri communities have suffered due to the Niger Delta crisis, enduring conflict, displacement, and inadequate compensation, while still seeking transformative empowerment opportunities for their youth.
Mrs. Mene’s letter suggests that appointing a qualified Itsekiri individual as the next Administrator would foster justice, promote reconciliation, and enhance trust among the affected communities. It would also serve as a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable governance across all ethnic groups in the Niger Delta.
The initiative underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach to leadership in the region, advocating for a united and sustainable development trajectory.
The Open Letter Reads;
The President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
State House
Abuja, Nigeria
Attention: His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
Your Excellency,
We write with deep respect to your office and a strong sense of civic responsibility to humbly appeal for fairness, equity, and inclusiveness in the forthcoming appointment of the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Since the inception of the Programme, leadership appointments have been overwhelmingly dominated by individuals from the Ijaw ethnic nationality. The Administrators who have served include:
1. Kinsley Kuku – Ijaw
2. Timi Alaibe – Ijaw
3. Gen. Paul Boroh – Ijaw
4. Prof. Charles Dokubo – Ijaw
5. Dr. Dennis Otuaro – Ijaw (Present)
Out of the six individuals who have occupied the office since inception, five have been from Ijaw extraction, while the only exception was Gen. Charles Abbe from Edo State. In the interest of fairness, justice, and national balance, it is therefore reasonable that the next appointment should come from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
This appeal is further strengthened by the fact that Itsekiri land produces a significant and strategic share of Nigeria’s crude oil resources, yet the Itsekiri people have not enjoyed proportional representation in key regional intervention structures, including the Presidential Amnesty Programme and leadership positions within related institutions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Beyond representation, the Itsekiri people remain among the communities most affected by the conflicts associated with the Niger Delta crisis. Many Itsekiri villages were burnt, families displaced, and communities rendered homeless, yet adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and sustained government attention have remained limited. Despite these sacrifices, the level of empowerment extended to Itsekiri youths under the Amnesty Programme has not been commensurate with their contributions and losses. While many beneficiaries from other areas have been trained as pilots, medical professionals, and specialists in various fields, Itsekiri communities continue to seek meaningful and transformative empowerment opportunities for their youths.
Your Excellency, appointing a qualified Itsekiri son or daughter as the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme would represent a strong commitment to justice, inclusiveness, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta. Such a decision would restore confidence among affected communities and demonstrate the Federal Government’s dedication to equitable governance across all ethnic nationalities in the region.
We therefore respectfully urge Your Excellency to give favourable consideration to the appointment of an Itsekiri candidate as the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the interest of fairness, national unity, and sustainable regional development.
Thank you for your leadership and continued commitment to a just and united Nigeria.
Yours faithfully,
Mrs. Vivian Mene
President,
Voice of Warri Women Kingdom initiative.
