Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Congress for Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (CNDE) led by a former militant leader, Mr Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, alias Boyloaf, on Tuesday announced the postponement of the 2022 Niger Delta Peace Day Celebration slated for Sept. 21.
The event was organised by CNDE in collaboration with the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the Bayelsa State Government to commemorate the day militants in the Niger Delta surrendered their weapons and embraced the Amnesty offered by the Federal Government.
The Niger Delta Peace Day, earlier scheduled to hold in Yenagoa, had a Peace Summit designed to provide an opportunity for the ex-militants to reaffirm their commitment to sustaining the peace in the region.
Gov. Douye Diri was listed as the chief host; the immediate past Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd) was to deliver the key note address as the co-host while the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, was named as the Special Guest of Honour.
Also the President, Ijaw National Congress (INC) was named the Chairman of the event; the Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Guest of Honour while the Executive Director, Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Simbi Wabote, alongised, Sunny Ofehe Founder Hope for Niger Delta Campaign in the Netherlands were to speak at the event.
CNDE regretted the postponement saying a new date would be announced for the event.
It was gatherd that the postponement was sequel to the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd) as Interim Administrator of the Amnesty Programme on Sept. 15 to replace Dikio.