PAP to prioritise empowerment of former militants

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for repentant Niger Delta youths on Monday pledged to prioritise the economic reintegration of the erstwhile agitators to transform them into entrepreneurs to create wealth and drive development.

PAP’s Interim Administrator, Col. Millan Dikio (rtd) said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Nneotaobase Egbe.

Dikio stated that he had laid the foundation in his first one year with his outlined vision, adding that the time for action has come to produce the desired result for the benefit of all. 

It will be recalled that on October 14, Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced the reappointment of Dikio for another one year.

According to the statement, Dikio has, within the one year in office, consolidated his position as head of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Speaking at separate meetings with leaders of the first and third phases of the PAP in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Dikio said his quest to leave a strong legacy was driven by his passion for the development of the region.

He urged the ex-agitators to strive to see beyond the monthly stipends, to the economic opportunities around them. 

“Within the short time I have, we will change things for the better.

“That is why we have changed the model of training that you get to the Train-Employ-Mentor model. The kind of training that will make you self-sufficient and qualified to have a job that you will be paid far above the N65,000; training that will bring more value to you,” Dikio said.

The PAP Interim Administrator disclosed that there were plans for a summit in Warri, Delta where the delegates will be taught how to grow and manage businesses and highlight the opportunities in the city and the region in general.

According to Dikio, the Niger Delta remained the richest place in the country, not because of oil and gas but its natural endowment, such as human capital, farm produce and fisheries, domiciled across the region and waiting to be explored by willing hands.

He said: “We have to be competitive in the water business and take advantage of the blue economy. The Niger Delta is blessed with a lot of opportunities, and we need to take charge.

“We are organizing a summit in Warri soon. Warri used to be an oil city with lots of activities but now it has become like a ghost town.

“We want to highlight what the city has, its economic importance and for entrepreneurial purpose.  We must do everything possible to bring back businesses to the region.

“I keep saying this that if you are not providing service, you can’t be rich. Once you have what you are offering and when you can take care of yourself, nobody can insult you.”

The statement quoted the leader of the first phase ex-agitators and National President of the Leadership, Peace, and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), Pastor Reuben Wilson, in his remark, thanked Dikio for restoring their confidence in the PAP. 

He said in the past the programme was managed like a personal estate with the beneficiaries grossly short-changed while others became billionaires but with the coming of Dikio ‘we now have hope because of the new vision.’

Also, National Chairman and Secretary of the third phase, Tonye Bobo and Elaye Slaboh, said in the last one year they had not embarked on any form of protest because of what Dikio had done to change their mindset. 

They said in the past street protests were regular for them but didn’t know that it was de-marketing the region and driving away businesses.

The leaders made many requests including leadership training and empowerment, education and vocational training, and setting up liaison office in Bayelsa.