The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amnesty Office

  • Amnesty Office to train 2,550

    TWo thousand, five hundred and fifty beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) are to be trained in fishing in line with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

    100 fishing trawlers are to be built in Burutu, Delta State for the training.

    Special Adviser to the President and PAP’s Coordinator Prof. Charles Dokubo inaugurated the implementation committee, saying the training will open opportunities for Amnesty beneficiaries, especially those interested in sea faring and fishing.

    He said the project was in fulfilment of his vision to drive the reintegration component of the programme in such a way that it will positively impact on beneficiaries and communities in Niger Delta.

    “When this concept was brought to me; about the availability of training, retraining and  employing our delegates, it was time specific and fitted into what I’m doing for the Amnesty Programme.

    ‘’I am really overjoyed, and I believe that the commitment of this meeting today will move this concept forward. Removing a chunk of beneficiaries from our database for me is a thing of joy; If a chunk of these people is taken out, we can also do for those in the impacted communities”, Dokubo said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Concept Amadeus Limited, lead partner for the project, hailed Dokubo for his commitment and passion towards ensuring its success.

    He said the inauguration of the implementation committees for the smooth take-off of the project underscored Dokubo’s understanding of the areas vital for training and empowerment of beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.

     

     

  • Amnesty Office begins vocational training for ex-agitators

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Office has begun advanced vocational training in Tourism and Hospitality for 100 ex-agitators in Niger Delta.

    The training began yesterday, at the Centre for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Yenagoa.

    The Coordinator, PAP, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, said the trainees were expected to be equipped with skills that would help them earn a living.

    Boroh said the training would also enable beneficiaries to gain entrepreneurial education and reduce the high unemployment rate in the region and the country at large.

    He added that the training, which would be in batches of 100 each, was expected to be completed in six months.

    Addressing the trainees, Boroh urged them to be dedicated to learning and assured them that they would be assisted in their chosen field of specialisation.

    He said the training was part of PAP’s reintegration programme and reminded them of the conditions for the training which included beneficiaries must train at least 20 other youths in their field.

    “By the time each of you train 20 of your peers back home, we will have 2,000 skilled workers or farmers in various fields.

  • Amnesty office to collaborate with agro firm to train youths

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Office said it would collaborate with the American-West African Agro (AWAA) to train 500 ex-agitators from the Niger Delta in agriculture development.

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd), made this known on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Boroh said this was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to diversify the economy and empower people from the region.

    He added that the project would revamp the economy, create massive jobs and food sufficiency in the Niger Delta region and country at large.

    “I would ensure that the partnership with AWAA takes into account knowledge-sharing and expertise in the field of agriculture, including the entrepreneurial interest of the beneficiaries,’’ he said.

    Boroh said PAP would continue to collaborate with different stakeholders in the agriculture sector towards training and retraining of Niger Delta people to ensure jobs, food security and wealth creation.

    “The Amnesty office is still working in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that Nigerians should shift attention from oil to non-oil income, especially agriculture, to revamp the country’s economy.

    “I want to acknowledge AWAA agricultural exploits, and collaborating with them will add value to the Amnesty Programme and will be of immense benefit to its beneficiaries,’’ he said.

  • Amnesty Office’s role in diversifying economy, by Boroh

    Amnesty Office’s role in diversifying economy, by Boroh

    The Presidential Amnesty Office yesterday gave insight into its role in diversifying the country’s economy.

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) spoke when he visited Niger Delta Affairs Minister Usanu Uguru Usani.

    Gen. Boroh said the office was harmonising its partnerships with strategic development ministries and agencies to fast-track the reintegration of reformed agitators.

    The presidential aide, who was accompanied on the visit by some members of his management team, described the parley with the minister as critical and part of an integrated campaign by the Federal Government to deepen its bond with the Niger Delta people.

    A statement by Stella Inametti of the Amnesty Office’s Media and Communication Department listed some of the involvements of the office in diversifying the economy to include its agricultural trainings for delegates, the proposed creation of modular refineries in oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta and so on.

    He said diversification is of utmost importance to Nigeria’s economic growth and that agriculture is an established area that youth can explore and excel.

    Gen. Boroh said the training and empowerment of thousands of Amnesty delegates in this area is in line with the Presidential initiative to explore available potentials in the sector to grow the national economy.

    Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Pastor Usani Usani said the visit was apt considering Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s recent tour of the Niger Delta and the increasing expectations from the people.

    He applauded the renewed drive by government agencies to achieve the president’s mandate on sustainable peace and development of the area.

    The minister called on all government parastatals and agencies to imbibe the spirit of collaboration for rapid development of the nation.

    Gen. Boroh presented a copy of the Presidential Amnesty Programme compendium to the minister.

    He said part of the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Office includes stability of peace in the Niger Delta to allow critical partners, such as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Works and international development partners carry out development activities.

    Gen. Boroh explained that both agencies of government have periodically reviewed their operations to avoid duplication of roles, while aligning areas of interest all geared towards impacting positively on the Niger Delta region.

    The presidential aide further explained that critical partnerships would create access to sustainable peace and development which will in turn help government achieve its vision of transforming oil communities in the region into hubs for diverse socio-economic activities.

    He said: “Only an environment that promotes peace and commerce would invariably boost wealth creation opportunities and mass employment for youth in the region and Nigeria at large.’’

  • Our successes, challenges, by Amnesty Office

    Our successes, challenges, by Amnesty Office

    The Presidential Amnesty Office has said peace in the Niger Delta is its major achievement.

    It also identified funding and inability to pay the tuition of its delegates abroad as its major challenges.

    In a statement yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) said the programme had its best experiences in the last 12 months.

    He said: “Perhaps our greatest achievement is contributing to the peace in the Niger Delta, which has resulted in zero vandalism of oil facilities. The winning strategy is President Muhammadu Buhari’s hands-on approach to the region. The visits of the Vice President, which have taken him to most oil-producing states with the full participation of the state governments and people is a winning formula, have solidified the relationship between the region and the administration.

    “In the 2015/2016 academic year, the Presidential Amnesty Office deployed 1,294 delegates to various universities in the country, recording 681 graduates with 14 of them graduating with First Class and 84 with Second Class Upper. The Benson Idahosa University retained four of our students with First Class as lecturers.

    “The performance of our students abroad was even more stunning. A total of 454 of them graduated mainly from British universities with 20 making First Class and 41 making Second Class Upper. Also, we have ensured the effective management of our students abroad through the collaboration of the Amnesty Office and our embassies and high commissions. This has led to remarkable reduction in our student agitations.

    “Also, from 2015 to 2016, we deployed 1,603 delegates to training centres across the country and 1,230 of them graduated. Also, 196 delegates are currently in training. Regrettably, the training of 177 of them is on hold due to logistical reasons.

    “During the same period, the Amnesty Office empowered 1,453 delegates with various starter-packs, including shop rentals, while 966 of them were taken through refresher training. A survey by the Monitoring and Evaluation Team observed that those we empowered made profits. This means their businesses, like trees planted by the river side, have survived and are sprouting. This is no mean achievement under our skies.”

    On challenges, Gen. Boroh said: “The main challenge the Presidential Amnesty Office has faced is inadequate funds. Due to this, tuition fees of some students in local and international universities have not been paid. These are mainly in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (U.S.A), Philippines, Belarus and South Africa.

    “Also, training in most of the vocation centres has stopped and it affects 1,770 delegates. This has led to the swell in the number of those projected to be trained in 2017, that is, 4,770 persons.

    “Inadequate funding has also limited the capacity of the Amnesty Office to empower delegates and exit them from the programme.

    “Our dire situation is being reversed with the release of more funds to the Office.”

  • FG resumes payments to ex- Niger Delta militants

    The Federal Government has resumed payments of cash stipends to former Niger Delta agitators as agreed under a 2009 amnesty in the region, an official said on Thursday.

    “Two months of the ex-militants stipends were paid yesterday (Wednesday).The rest of their stipends will be paid later in batches by the Central Bank,” an officer in the Amnesty Office, Piriye Kiyaramo, told Reuters.

  • Amnesty Office deploys 500 ex-agitators in Bayelsa

    The Presidential Amnesty Office has deployed 500 ex-agitators in the National Bio-resources Centre, Odi, Bayelsa State, to train in advanced farming methods.

    The beneficiaries will be trained in the application of verified scientific technologies to increase yields in crop and animal farming.

    Speaking at the launch of the training at the National Bio-resources Centre, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), described investments in agriculture as key and imperative to the country’s national and economic growth.

    He said: “Today’s economic realities remind us of what we have taken for granted and how with dedication and focus, we can turn the tide, using agriculture as the harbinger of economic greatness. It is not enough to clamour for diversification of the economy, we must walk the talk by raising a young generation, which envisage agriculture as a viable business platform and is willing to push the frontiers.’’

    Boroh said the programme would engender an atmosphere in the Niger Delta where youths could embrace commercial agriculture to reduce unemployment, thereby increasing food security and production.

    He added: “The rich bio-diversity of the Niger Delta provides opportunities to explore the agricultural value chain production. We must take steps to become a giant in agro-allied businesses.’’

    Director-General of the centre Prof. Lucy Ogbadu hailed the Amnesty Office for taking the initiative to send its delegates to the centre for the advanced agricultural training.

    Said he: “We are a centre dedicated to excellence with the required manpower to train entrepreneurs in agriculture by utilising the knowledge in contemporary farming methodology to give an edge to today’s farmer.’’

    Ogbadu said the youth should use the acquired knowledge and skills acquired to improve their lives and impact on the society.

    Coordinator of the training centre Mr. Josiah Habu stressed the capability of the centre to train agricultural entrepreneurs in fields where science had improved production.

    He said agriculture would bail the nation out of recession and hoped the youth would be a success slogan for the government’s campaign on agriculture.

    The delegates will be trained in advanced methods in mushroom cultivation, fisheries, snail and grass cutter farming.

    Other areas include poultry technology and crop farming.

    Agricultural empowerment tools/equipment will be given to beneficiaries at the end of training.

  • Amnesty Office warns ex-militants against violence

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme yesterday advised its beneficiaries against electoral violence.

    It expressed sadness about the circle of violence in Rivers State ahead of the rerun.

    It also warned its beneficiaries against allowing anyone to engage them for violence in tomorrow’s election.

    In a statement, the Office said: “This has become more pronounced as preparations for the rerun election for Rivers State draws closer. Such violence portends danger to the electoral and governance system in the country.

    “It also gravely undermines the peace building efforts by the Federal Government in the region.

    “The Amnesty Office appeals to all and sundry to keep the peace and abide by the rules of the electoral game to achieve peace and stability in both states.

    “The Amnesty Office specifically advises youths and ex-agitators not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders in the spiraling violence in Rivers State.

    “The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd), warns beneficiaries to steer clear of violence in the region.

    “Any beneficiary who is involved in any violent action should know that he would be violating the oath he took to end violence which earned him the Presidential Amnesty.

    “Any beneficiary involved in violence will be exited from the Programme, his monthly stipend stopped and will face prosecution.

    “The Amnesty Coordinator impresses on all the ex-agitators leaders to exercise control over the beneficiaries under their leadership and warns that where a leader is found to be complicit in violence, apart from him, his camp will in addition, face sanctions.”

  • Ijaw youths demand increased funding for Amnesty Office

    Ijaw youths, yesterday, appealed to the Federal Government to increase funding for the office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    The youths said the coordinator of the office, Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) has demonstrated commitment to drive the programme and realise its objectives in the Niger Delta region.

    They argue that with Boroh on the saddle, the amnesty office would remain the best vehicle to reach the region and minimise violent agitation in the area.

    The youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) said they were thrilled by Boroh’s recent agreements involving an Israeli company and the Ministry of Agriculture to engage ex-agitators in agricultural training at the Natural Bio-Resources Centre, Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Bayelsa State.

    Speaking in Yenagoa, a factional President of IYC, Mr. Elvis Donkemezuo said for Boroh to have recognised the potentials of the Odi centre, which had been abandoned since its establishment, underscored his zeal to transform the region.