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Tag: amnesty

  • Amnesty beneficiaries condemn attack on Boroh

    Amnesty beneficiaries condemn attack on Boroh

    Beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, studying in the United States, have expressed confidence in its Coordinator, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh.

    The beneficiaries, in a statement, said though things have not been rosy, Boroh has been faithful.

    The statement reads: “We, the students sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the umbrella of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (OSAPND), led by Brig.-Gen. Paul  Boroh (rtd), wishes to draw the attention of the public to the activity of faceless fraudsters in the United States of America, who are using the social media to spread mischievous information about our welfare as government-sponsored students, and activities of OSAPND under Boroh.

    “We wish to dissociate students from any attempt to tarnish the image of Nigeria in the US, through outright lies, falsehood and blackmail being peddled in the social media by a faceless group that has called on people to join them for a public demonstration against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, at the White House.

    “We wish to put it on record that our allowances and tuition fees have been paid till September 2017, and the office has promised to pay up till November.

    “We thank President Buhari for his commitment and dedication to sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta, through his support and continuation of the Presidential Amnesty programme. We also praise the able leadership of Gen. Boroh for the positive changes he has brought to bear on the programme, through prompt payment of our fees and allowances.

    “While it has not been all rosy, we note that despite the economic recession that Nigeria went through, it was still able to sponsor our education abroad and we are very grateful.”

  • Amnesty: Fed Govt to include fresh ex-militants in Ondo

    The Ondo State government yesterday said the Federal Government will, on November 9, incorporate former militants in the riverine area of the state who are willing to surrender their arms into the Amnesty programme.

    The state government played a crucial role in the release of six Senior Secondary School (SSS) pupils of Lagos Model College at Igbonla, Epe, who were abducted on May 25, by suspected militants.

    One of the conditions the kidnappers, who had allegedly been operating in the coastal areas of Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states, was that the state government would speak for them to benefit from the Amnesty programme.

    Ondom Stste Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi spoke yesterday at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja where he addressed its officials, following their visit to the state on orientation activities.

    Ajayi, who represented Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) at the event, said the Federal Government, through the state, was willing to give Amnesty to youths who are ready to lay down arms and embrace peace.

    He said: “The President has just approved this. Since we can achieve peace through negotiation, we want to engage these boys so that all of them can leave the bush and be part of the society. The ex-militants in the Niger Delta area of the state and those willing to surrender their arms can be part of the society.

    “They can be empowered through agriculture at this time that the federal and state governments are committed to diversifying the economy.”

    Explaining the programmes and policies of the Akeredolu administration, Ajayi said it was striving to make the state a haven for investors.

    The deputy governor said the state had the deepest and longest coast line in the country that could change the state’s and the nation’s economies.

    He noted that the military had become friendlier and more responsive than before.

    NDC’s Commandant, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo, thanked Akeredolu for allowing Ondo State to be used as part of the college’s orientation activities.

    Osinowo said the purpose of the visit had been achieved with more revelation of the socio-economic situation of the visited states.

  • ‘Five million benefit from Niger Delta Amnesty’ – Boroh

    ‘Five million benefit from Niger Delta Amnesty’ – Boroh

    •Boroh lists gains of initiative since 2009

    Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme,  Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh,  has said over  five million people in Niger Delta have benefited from the initiative  since 2009.

    Gen. Boroh, who is the special adviser to the President on Niger Delta, spoke in Akure  shortly after receiving an award as Niger Delta Peace Ambassador from the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ), Ondo State council.

    He said the  programme was initiated in 2009, following conflicts in the region.

    Boroh said he cannot be specific on the amount the Federal Government spent  in restoring peace in the area.

    “For all I know, the programme has impacted  on well over five  million people in the region and aided efforts to achieve peace in the Niger Delta,’’ he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu  Buhari for sustaining the programme, saying this demonstrated  his concern for Niger Delta.

    Also, speaking at a town hall meeting with stakeholders from Ijaw communities in Olodiama at Gelegele in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State, Gen. Boroh  urged ex-agitators in Niger Delta to work with communities in protecting national assets, such as oil and gas pipelines.

    He said the Federal Government would sustain the peace  in Niger Delta, adding that the involvement of youths in security and survelliance of oil and gas installations will end attacks on these installations in Niger Delta.

    The Amnesty chief explained that modalities for engaging youths in pipelines security, among other assets in the region, is being discussed at higher levels of government.

    He said the schedule for sensitising stakeholders on security of pipelines was being worked out by the appropriate agency for implementation.

    Gen. Boroh noted that the feasibility study for a National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme has been approved, in line with the United Nations-Paris Agreement on Gas Flare.

    He said the first phase would focus on 48 identified onshore sites in Niger Delta, adding that the programme is intended to convert gas being flared for cooking and electricity, among other industrial uses.

    The special adviser said “through the programme, about six million households in Niger Delta can access clean energy.

    “It is projected to create 25,000 direct jobs and 300,000 indirect jobs. The programme is private sector-driven and investors are encouraged to key into it.

    “The minister of state for Petroleum will kickstart a road show to sensitise stakeholders on the programme in September”, he explained.

    On the establishment of community-based mini modular refineries in Niger Delta, he said the minister would do a roadshow to sensitise people  on its policy direction.

    Also speaking, a director in the Ministry of Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Employment, Mr. Festus Okougbo, said Governor Godwin Obaseki has set up a seven-man committee to prepare a blueprint for the development  of a Seaport in  Gelegele, adding:  “the committee is about to submit its report. Plans are on the way also to set up an agro industrial park in Gelegele to drive the port for sustainability”.

    An address by the Ama-Okosuwei of Gelegele Gbene and the state Ijaw National Congress (INC) on behalf of the Pere of Olodiama Kingdom, Alawei Wilson G Kororo, the Alagbalabinafa III and Ijaw communities, thanked President Muhammandu Buhari for sustaining Amnesty.

    They said the state Ijaw communities have been denied fair share in the scheme of things, lamenting the absence of governments’ presence in the area despite their natural resources.

    They appealed to the special adviser to facilitate the inclusion of some ex-agitators from Olodiama not captured in the programme, provision of skill acquisition centres in the five Ijaw clans, empowerment of beneficiaries from the communities, provision of slots for INC in the proposed pipeline security and surveillance jobs

    Chairman of Gelegele community Milton Dennis, and the Women’s leader Mrs Ayodele Osia thanked Gen. Boroh for donating a borehole to the community, saying the gesture was a first in the area.

  • Boroh: Amnesty now in re-integration stage

    Boroh: Amnesty now in re-integration stage

    SPECIAL Adviser to the President on Niger Delta,Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), has said the programme is now in the third phase; re-integration, after disarmament and demobilisation.

    He spoke after receiving the Niger Delta Ambassador of Peace Award ‘’for his pragmatic peace-building initiatives’’ since assuming office two years ago, noting that there’s no amount too much to achieve peace in the region.

    Conferring the award, Chairman, Ondo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. James Sowole, (NUJ), described Gen. Boroh as Mr. Peace in the Niger Delta.

    The ceremony was a side event of the Second Niger Delta Council Meeting in Akure, Ondo State capital.

    Gen. Boroh, also coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, dedicated the award to God.

    He thanked the council for finding him worthy for recognition at a time the region is being stabilised  for infrastructural development.

    The presidential aide noted that the programme

    The Amnesty chief inspected facilities at the Federal Government’s vocational training centre in Agadabga Obon-Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

    Gen. Boroh said President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the region’s peace and infrastructural development has built confidence in the people.

    The coordinator restated his commitment to continue with the training and empowerment of delegates.

    He promised to engage qualified beneficiaries as instructors and teachers at the centre and in community schools.

    Gen. Boroh assured the people that his office would meaningfully engage youths in the region, particularly beneficiaries.

    He added that the Federal Government will bring comfort to the grassroots through “quick impact projects”, to address residents’ immediate needs.

    The coordinator listed these as potable water, health centres, etc., to create direct impact on rural dwellers.

    Spokesman of Agadagba Obon Joweigha Eliseri sought intervention in the completion of abandoned projects, construction of a link bridge, employment of community graduates, power and health centre.

    He thanked the Amnesty coordinator and presidential aide for the visit.

    Facility manager Mr Kekemeke Oju briefed the special adviser on the work done at the centre, saying the vocational centre was aimed at enhancing capacity building in oil and gas.

    Oju said equipment to enhance safety drilling operations and other areas were available at the centre.

    According to him, with these equipment, the centre can undertake vocational training outside oil and gas.

    The presidential aide was conducted round the centre by a prominent ex-agitator, Chief Bibopre Ajube, popularly known as “shoot at sight”.

  • 381 killed in Boko Haram resurgence – Amnesty

    381 killed in Boko Haram resurgence – Amnesty

    The Boko Haram sect has killed 381 civilians in Nigeria and Cameroon since the beginning of April, rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday, a testament to the militant group’s deadly resurgence.

    The Nigerian military has repeatedly said Boko Haram has been “defeated.”

    But in recent months, it has carried out a string of lethal suicide bombings and other high-profile attacks on towns and an oil exploration team, Reuters reported.

    The number of deaths since April 1 is more than double that for the preceding five months, Amnesty said.

    Boko Haram has killed 223 civilians in Nigeria since April. The forcing of women and girls to act as suicide bombers has driven the sharp rise in deaths in northeast Nigeria and northern Cameroon, the group added.

    “Boko Haram is once again committing war crimes on a huge scale, exemplified by the depravity of forcing young girls to carry explosives with the sole intention of killing as many people as they possibly can,” said Alioune Tine, Amnesty’s director for West and Central Africa.

    In Nigeria, the deadliest attack was in July, when the militants abducted an oil exploration team with staff of the state oil firm and a university while they were travelling in a military convoy. Boko Haram killed 40 people and kidnapped three others, Amnesty said.

    “Boko Haram suicide bombers have killed 81 people in Nigeria since the start of April.

    “In Cameroon, the group has killed at least 158 people in the same period. That is also linked to a rise in suicide bombings, the deadliest of which killed 16 people in Waza in July,” Amnesty added.

     

  • Amnesty trained 14,366 ex-agitators, says Boroh

    Amnesty trained 14,366 ex-agitators, says Boroh

    The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh has said about 14,366 ex-agitators were trained in the programme.

    Gen. Boroh spoke at News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja, yesterday.

    He explained their capacities has been developed in agriculture, automobile engineering, and aviation, with a further look at the sports sector.

    “As we speak, we have trained over 5,000 in education-capacity development, and over 22, 000 in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development.”

    He said the programme granted amnesty to 30,000 ex-agitators of Niger Delta.

    Gen. Boroh said from now till December 17, more ex-agitators would be graduating from the scheme.

    According to him, its education programme is winding down and there is need to graduate more beneficiaries.

    He said education is a pivotal investment for human and economic development, influenced by the environment within which it exists.

    Gen. Boroh said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was aware today’s youths need specific skills to survive the competitive world.

    The presidential aide said beneficiaries, now graduates, were aware of the socio-economic scenario of the nation and can help in developing the region and the nation.

    According to him, the beneficiaries can contribute towards nation-building.

    “From now till December 17, you will be hearing of graduations because we are winding down and positively for that matter as well as empowerment.

    “We are using government institutions, we think the resources we spent in this programme will be better utilised within the country.

    “That is why we are using government-owned institutions instead of institutions abroad, this is our focus.

    “Right now, we have trained about 14,366 ex-agitators in the programme and their capacities have also been developed in the areas of agriculture, automobile engineering, aviation sector and then we are also looking at the sports sector,‘’ he said.

    He said other areas included skill acquisition, entrepreneurship and educational development.

    Gen. Boroh stressed the need to sustain peace in the Niger Delta toward ensuring infrastructural development.

    He said the existence of peace was not negotiable as it will bring development in infrastructure, among others, in the region

    According to him, before now, Nigeria has a lot of infrastructure that were functioning, such as Ascon Oil Company in Delta State, rolling mills, railways and roads.

    He added that most of these were destroyed by conflicts in the region

    Boroh said the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was to ensure peace and replace damaged infrastructure.

    The coordinator said we should revamp these infrastructure to create jobs that will bring peace, stability and development in the region.

    He said: “I was a young man 84/85 in Warri, I was a battalion militant when these infrastructure were functioning and massive jobs were created but now they have become moribund.

    “It’s a concern for the government to ensure that at least some measures of start over to revamp these infrastructure are achieved to create job opportunities that will ensure peace, stability and development in the Niger Delta region.”

    The Presidential aide praised the administration for bringing infrastructural development as well as peace to people of the region.

    He said the economic impact that infrastructure improvement has on nation building cannot be over-emphasised.

    According to the coordinator, the growth of any country’s economy hugely depends on the status of its infrastructure.

    He added that the dearth of infrastructure places serious limitation on human capital development.

    “The programme is one of the pivotal institutions responsible for ensuring peace, stability and development of the Niger Delta region.

    “We express deep gratitude and appreciation to Mr President for ensuring that his commitment during his campaign has come to bear.

    “He ensured that the Niger Delta region is of concern to him and that he would, with support from others, ensure the region is peaceful, stable and developing.’’

    On money spent so far, he said ‘’frankly speaking, peace is expensive…, it is difficult to calculate the exact figure.

    “But importantly, there is now peace; people are happy,’’ he said.

    Boroh, however, reiterated the government’s commitment in ensuring lasting peace in the area.

  • Good side of amnesty

    •Ex-militants shine at home and abroad. But  the programme is ripe to become an equal opportunity initiative

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme has done the nation proud on several fronts. According to Paul Boroh, Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme, out of the 59 ex-militants that just graduated from Benson Idahosa University, 12 obtained First-class Honours degrees while 20 of the graduates had Second-class upper division in disciplines ranging from Sociology to Environmental Science and Information Communication Technology. Four of the graduates came out as best students in their various disciplines.

    In addition, 45 students completed their degrees at Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radio-electronics with three of them obtaining First-class honours. Expressing satisfaction about the performance of amnesty beneficiaries in the two universities, Major-General Boroh (rtd) added:”This graduation fitted perfectly into the Amnesty Exit Strategic Plan.”

    We congratulate the graduates for doing Nigeria proud at home and abroad. In a country where complaints about quality of education is rife, it is salutary that ex-militants who turned in their guns only a few years ago to accept scholarships to enroll in universities at home and overseas have worked hard to make the country feel justified for disarming and demobilising young people who would have entered adulthood as terrorists. The ex-militants have illustrated the power of the Federal Government’s programme of rehabilitation and re-orientation, which the Amnesty Programme initiated by late President Umaru Yar’Adua was designed to deliver. In short, through their enviable academic performance, the amnesty beneficiaries have demonstrated why talents must not be allowed to go to waste for lack of caring and responsive policies by policymakers. In addition, the programme has brought relative peace to the Niger Delta despite the onset of recession.

    The call of the presidential adviser on amnesty for an exit strategic plan could not have come at a better time. It is appropriate for the presidential adviser to remind the nation that amnesty was not designed to be a permanent policy. It has achieved many of its objectives: dis-armament and de-mobilisation of combatants who once felt pressured to carry arms in a struggle for empowerment of youths in a region that serves as the country’s goose that lays the golden egg.

    The programme has already made enviable progress in the last few years. Just as the presidential adviser hinted, amnesty is an interventionist policy that should not become a permanent feature of governance. An exit strategy is overdue, if the programme is not to be seen as a facile effort to avoid a more comprehensive policy of equal opportunity for all—combatants and non-combatants— in the Niger Delta.

    The problem of oil-producing communities deserves a greater attention than amnesty payments for those likely to threaten peace in the communities. Making amnesty benefits a permanent policy can make militancy look heroic and profitable to youths who would rather prefer to live in a country where economic justice or equitable distribution of revenue from environmentally damaging fossil energy should be the preferred governance ethic. Similarly, creation of two bureaucracies: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs can distract residents of the region and even government officials from looking for a cost-effective solution to the problem that threw up militancy in the first instance. Since their inception, the two bureaucracies have not made much impact for citizens to identify with, other than narratives and counter-narratives of corruption and marginalisation of one section of the Niger Delta by others in control of such agencies.

    In view of the ongoing diversification resulting from sudden drop in the price of oil, there is no better time for the Federal Government to adopt a more structurally effective means of sharing resources, especially between oil-producing and non-oil producing communities. Passing a higher percentage of revenue from oil to states and communities in the Niger Delta is bound to bring more benefits to the region and the country than sustaining a policy of special amnesty benefits to militants and nurturing two bureaucracies that symbolically address the problems of youth empowerment and regional development in the region.

    Nigeria needs to have regions that can thrive without special interventions that seem to focus on silencing those who violently express frustration about lack of equity.

  • Amnesty Programme’s first class brains

    Amnesty Programme’s first class brains

    THE Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is harvesting its good work in the Niger Delta. In the last few weeks, it has added to the list of first class brains who will help develop their region and, by extension, Nigeria.

    Last weekend, at the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, 12 of PAP’s delegates bagged First Class Honours Degrees, 20 bagged Second Class Upper Division and 29 earned Second Class Lower Division.

    Four of the First Class delegates came out as best graduating students at the 13th convocation ceremony of the university. 59 Amnesty delegates graduated in different fields at the 13th Convocation. The best Amnesty 1st Class delegates who made the list of best graduating students include, Mr. Bolei Gideon, (Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management), Mr. Azebi Oyeikurokaemo Marcodinho, (Geopphysics), Miss Febaide Mabel Ebiere, (Banking and Finance) and Miss Guwor Egbedetimi Williams (Sociology and Anthropology.

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), said: “Four of the 59 beneficiaries, came out as best graduating students in their various departments.

    “I just have to state their names here, Mr Bolei Gideon, First Class Honours Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management, Mr Azebi  Marcodinho, First Class Honors Geopphysics.

    “Ms Febaide  Ebiere, First Class Honours Banking and Finance and Ms Guwor  Williams, First Class Honours Sociology and Anthropology. They have all made the people of the region and the Nation proud,” he said.

    According to him, the graduation of the 59 delegates of the Amnesty Programme fitted perfectly into the Amnesty Exit Strategic Plan.

    Gen. Boroh said the programme would continue to contribute to human capital development in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    He described the development as heart-warming, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to sustain the programme showed his sincere commitment to ensure  peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the region.

    Gen. Boroh  hailed the beneficiaries for their exemplary performance in their academic pursuits.

    According to the coordinator, people who are educated are better informed and can differentiate from what is right and what is wrong.

    “Educated people are united by the sense of right and wrong”. And since they are aware of the situation in their environment, they can be relied upon.

    He said the education of the youths would enable them have the sense of fulfilment in life and achieve their dreams.

    He urged authorities of institutions where amnesty beneficiaries have broken academic records through their high performance to find ways of absorbing such high flying beneficiaries.

    He said the amnesty educational empowerment programme has given hope to the youths in the region, and  urged them not to allow anyone to short-change and mortgage their lives.

    The strides of the delegates are not just at home. Some days before the Edo achievement,  45 beneficiaries graduated from two universities in Belarus with three of them clinching first class honours in Information Technology from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. 29 majored in various fields from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, 16 others trained in related areas at Brest State University, Belarus.

    The graduation ceremony in Minsk was well attended by envoys from various countries with a delegation from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

    The First Vice Rector of Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, Dr Siarhei Dzit, in the graduation speech, commended the international students, including the Amnesty delegates for their resilience and expressed hope that they would apply the knowledge gained in advancing the society.

    He said: ‘’As one of the best international school in Information Technology, we are known to produce graduates with the requisite technical knowledge to meet contemporary challenges in the industry. I am optimistic that these graduates can firmly take their place in world class firms to exhibit their professionalism.’’

    In a congratulatory message to the graduating students,  Brig.-Gen. Boroh hailed the delegates for outstanding performance.

    He said excellence was the hallmark of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, thus the expectations from every delegate to exude the highest level of competence and excellence in their chosen area of vocation.

    Attributing the success to their peculiar position and drive as Niger Delta youths to better their lot in life, Gen. Boroh urged the graduates to put to gainful use the skills they now possess to place Nigeria on the map in Information Technology and other advanced technical areas.

    He stressed on the imperatives for quality education , re-stating the commitment of the Amnesty Office to use education as a strategy for human capital development in the Niger Delta.

    Gen. Boroh emphasised the resolve of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to create opportunities in the region and noted that as internationally certified technicians in specialised fields, the new graduates were better positioned to be part of government’s new projects in the Niger Delta.

    He encouraged them to take advantage of efforts by government to involve Niger Deltans in oil production through the establishment of modular refineries, community pipeline surveillance and massive job opportunities in railway projects across the region.

    A representative of the delegates and first class awardee, Christopher Okorie, thanked the Federal Government and the Amnesty Office for the unique opportunity given them to study in one of the world’s best universities. He said they were now change agents with the hope to give back to their country through professional service delivery.

  • 12 Amnesty beneficiaries bag first class

    12 Amnesty beneficiaries bag first class

    Twelve of 59 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) beneficiaries, who graduated from the Benson Idahosa University, bagged First Class Honours.

    Twenty bagged Second Class Upper Division and 29 Second Class Lower Division at the 13th Convocation Ceremony of the university at the weekend.

    The best Amnesty delegates who made the list of best graduating students  are Mr. Bolei Gideon, (Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management), Mr. Azebi Oyeikurokaemo Marcodinho, (Geopphysics), Miss Febaide Mabel Ebiere, (Banking and Finance) and Miss Guwor Egbedetimi Williams ( Political Science and Publice Administration).

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), yesterday said: “Four out of the 59 beneficiaries, came out as best graduating students in their various departments.

    “I just have to state their names here, Mr Bolei Gideon, First Class Honours Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management, Mr Azebi  Marcodinho, First Class Honors Geopphysics.

    “Ms Febaide  Ebiere, First Class Honours Banking and Finance and Ms Guwor  Williams, First Class Honours Sociology and Anthropology. They have all made the people of the region and the Nation proud,” he said.

    According to him, the graduation of the 59 delegates of the Amnesty Programme fitted perfectly into the Amnesty Exit Strategic Plan.

    Gen. Boroh said the amnesty programme would continue to contribute to human capital development in the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

    He described the development as heart-warming, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to sustain the programme showed his sincere commitment to ensure  peace, stability and rapid socio-economic development in the region.

    Gen. Boroh  hailed the beneficiaries for their exemplary performance in their academic pursuits.

    According to the coordinator, people who are educated are better informed and can differentiate from what is right and what is wrong.

    “Educated people are united by the sense of right and wrong”. And since they are aware of the situation in their environment, they can be relied upon.

    He said the education of the youths would enable them have the sense of fulfilment in life and achieve their dreams.

    He urged authorities of institutions where amnesty beneficiaries have broken academic records through their high performance to find ways of absorbing such high flying beneficiaries.

    He said the amnesty educational empowerment programme has given hope to the youths in the region, and  urged them not to allow anyone to short-change and mortgage their lives.

    45 of its beneficiaries recently graduated from two universities in Belarus with three of them clinching first class honours in Information Technology from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics.

  • Balarabe faults bill seeking amnesty for looters

    Balarabe faults bill seeking amnesty for looters

    Former Kaduna State Governor Balarabe Musa has asserted that the Bill before the House of Representatives seeking amnesty for treasury looters will only legitimise corruption.

    Musa, speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he was disappointed with the lawmakers for even discussing the bill.

    “Honestly, I am terribly disappointed that a bill like that is being discussed at the National Assembly.

    “The bill is immoral and it shows the level of moral degeneration the country has attained, especially at the leadership level.

    “The proposal to me, is a way of legitimising corruption, because you are telling people to loot and declare may be part of the loot, then you are set free.

    “This is not good for Nigeria, for development and for the fight against corruption,” he said.

    The bill, sponsored by Linus Okorie (PDP Ebonyi), was read for the first time on the floor of the House on June 14.

    It seeks to allow those who looted public treasury to return certain percentage of the money in exchange for total amnesty from prosecution.

    Musa, who questioned the morality of the lawmakers for even discussing the bill, urged them to drop it, saying it hurt the collective interest Nigerians.

    Chairman, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) Mr. Debo Adeniran said if the bill was allowed to become law, it would encourage corruption with impunity.

    Adeniran said what the country needed at this time were laws to strengthen the anti-corruption war and ensure punishment for looters.

    “This bill is uncalled for because the only thing it will achieve is to encourage people to steal and return part of the money for amnesty.

    “At the end, it will still be victory for corruption and that is not good for the development of the country,” he said.

    Adeniran also spoke on the decision of the government to publish names of looters, saying the move would go a long way in discouraging corruption.

    He, however, urged the government to ensure judicious use of recovered looted funds so as to impact on the lives of the masses.

    “Yes, the decision of the Federal Government to publish names of looters following a court order is a welcome development.”