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Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd), Wednesday called on militants in the Niger Delta to drop arms and embrace peace.
Speaking at the Institute of Oceanography in the University of Calabar, during the graduation ceremony of 72 ex-militants who were trained in fishery, Boroh said blowing up pipelines was counter-productive and would only hurt the people of the region.
He debunked rumours about the stopping of the amnesty programme, saying it was still on course and successful.
He said so far 13, 031 delegates have been trained successfully in various fields of endeavor.
His words, “You can agitate through various means but not through violence. Blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta only affects us, our children, our environment and the economy of our country. You can protest peacefully and you will be listened to. We must develop as a country. Nigeria is the only country we have. Any other country you go to you will always be a second-class citizen.
“A strategic thinker never uses his home as a battleground. You have to make sure your resources are preserved. If you damage your place, where will your children stay? What future will we have? Let us not damage our territory. The Niger Delta must develop and we are the only ones that can do it. We must think forward and positively.
“We are happy to see you graduate in agriculture. Agriculture is the mainstay and focus of the present administration. The skills you have learnt here are critical. You should all go out there and practice what you have learnt. We will start arranging your empowerment immediately. Make a difference as you go back. Educate others too to tune their minds towards agriculture. Agriculture should be your mantra. With agriculture we can never go wrong. It is what can transform this country economically.
“The amnesty is on course and successful. You people are a success story. Any government that has interest in developing your capacity has your interest at heart. Continue to keep in touch with us, as you are still part of the office.”
Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, Mr Essien Ayi, called the graduands for embracing peace and agreeing to lay down arms.
“We are glad and urge you to talk to your brothers to also drop arms and embrace peace. We will make sure you are properly reintegrated into the society. We will not allow you to roam on your own. We want peace in the Niger Delta region and I want to use this medium to call on others to lay down arms. Peace will return to the Niger Delta,” he said.
Vice Chancellor, University of Calabar, Prof Zana Akpagu said it was a rare privilege to train them in the amnesty programme.
“We are proud to have you here and be part of the amnesty programme. It is a rare privilege. Congratulations to all that have participated in the programme. It is hoped that the skills learnt here will be put to use to help you be more productive. You are equipped not to be job seekers but employers of labour. You should be big entrepreneurs and train others on what you have learnt on fish farming. We are always available for you if you need further consultations,” Akpagu said.
Director Institute of Oceanography, University of Calabar, Prof Paul Udoh said, “We are glad to have trained the amnesty delegates. We have been opportune to give them the best we have here in terms of aquaculture. We urge that as they go, they put all they have learnt to practice. You are always welcome to come back anytime you require further assistance. We spent six months here teaching them all aspects of fish farming. We are proud to be part of the amnesty training. More should be sent for training. We have enough facilities to accommodate more,” he said.
Commissioner for Agriculture in Cross River State, Prof Anthony Eneji, said, “We thank the amnesty office and the University for Programme. We also have a women and youth empowerment programme in the ministry. We would be pleased to work with the University on this programme as it will translate to us empowering more youths.”
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries of the programme, Mr Surubor Amadikeme, expressed gratitude to President Muhamadu Buhari for his commitment to the amnesty programme.
His words, “We are grateful for the programme. We appreciate the effort of the president to this programme. In spite of the economic situation and insecurity, we thank the president for last month stipend. Initially I thought the amnesty programme was not sincere but now I have seen that President Buhari is very sincere about the amnesty. We would continue to support him. We advise our brothers who are still out there to embrace peace. This government is our government. We also ask the Federal Government to facilitate our empowerment after this programme because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. We believe the government will not forget us.”
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