The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has congratulated the Founder of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, Mrs. Esther Tonlagha, on her conferment with an Honorary Doctorate of Science (D.Sc) in Community Development and Empowerment by the Federal University, Otuoke.
Mrs. Tonlagha received the award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to community development and empowerment through sustained philanthropic initiatives. The honour was conferred during the maiden combined convocation ceremonies of the university held on December 8, 2025, in Otuoke, Bayelsa State.
The honouree is the wife of Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, an Ijaw businessman with significant investments in the oil and gas sector and in engineering solutions across various industries.
In his congratulatory message, Dr. Otuaro described the honour as a testament to Mrs. Tonlagha’s unwavering commitment and dedication to community development and human empowerment. He praised her as a philanthropist with a large heart, whose selfless service to humanity has had a far-reaching impact across the Niger Delta and beyond.
According to him, the conferment was well deserved, given her strong antecedents in humanitarian service, and he expressed confidence that the recognition would further motivate her to deepen her contributions to society.
Dr. Otuaro noted that he was not surprised by Mrs. Tonlagha’s record of service, describing her as a devout Christian who has consistently prioritised service to humanity.
The PAP Administrator also commended the management of the Federal University, Otuoke, for recognising Mrs. Tonlagha’s selfless service, life of sacrifice and the remarkable achievements of the Esther Matthew Tonlagha Foundation, which he said have positively impacted communities and vulnerable groups.
