The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has floated a cooperative scheme that will empower youths in the Niger Delta.
The scheme, according to the Interim Administrator of PAP, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, was aimed at ending the dependency on the monthly N65,000 stipend.
Ndiomu spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the board of the scheme in Abuja.
The three-man board has a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai, as chairman.
The two other members are: Brig.- Gen. Emmanuel Salubi and Comrade Joseph Evah.
Ndiomu said the scheme was aimed at forming a cluster to empower about 40,000 ex-agitators to become self- dependent.
He assured the people that as funds increased, the programme would be expanded to other beneficiaries.
He said N1.5 billion had been set aside as the seed money for the take-off of the scheme.
Justice Tabai assured the PAP administrator that the board would be diligent in executing its duties.