The Nation Newspaper

Tag: GOVT

  • Govt: no fuel price hike

    Govt: no fuel price hike

    Kachikwu, Baru: nothing like that

    The Federal Government has no plan to increase fuel price, despite the dwindling fortune of the naira, two officials said yesterday.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu and Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Maikanti Baru doused the tension building up following the suggestion by former NNPC Group Managing Directors (GMDs) at the weekend.

    Baru and the ex- NNPC GMDs, after what was tagged a strategic meeting on sustenance of availability of fuel amid the forex crisis,  said the  N145 petrol pump price cap would have to be lifted to avoid acute scarcity.

    The group noted that allowing the pump price to remain at that peg might lead to a crisis, including  a resurgence of  huge subsidy which could cripple the economy further.

    Kachikwu and Baru spoke separately with reporters at the State House after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Baru, who was the first to come out of the meeting, said “there is nothing like that”.

    Kachikwu, who came out 15 minutes later directed reporters to speak with Baru and when told that Baru had declined comments said there was no memo before the Federal Government asking for a review of the price.

    Last month, oil marketers pushed for the liftig of the N145 petrol price cap because of the scarcity of foreign exchange to finance import.

    The Federal Government on May 11 began the liberalisation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry when petrol price increased from N86 and N86.5 per litre to a N145 cap. Importation of products was liberalised. The policy effectively ended the long queues. Some marketers sell the product below N140 per litre.

    The chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, also yesterday took a swipe at Baru and his predecessors over their call for further increase in the pump price of petroleum products.

    Senator Abdullahi (Niger North) cautioned the Federal Government against heeding the call, especially when Nigerians are groaning under severe economic hardship.

    He described the oil chiefs as “enemies of Nigerians and the government”.

    The lawmaker, who said that he was speaking in his personal capacity, noted that it was obvious that the ex- NNPC GMDs contributed to bringing the country where it is today.

    “The NNPC as an institution was expected to be the life wire of this nation. As we have all known, refineries that we have in Nigeria have not been functional because if they had been functional and if that institution had been up and doing in tandem with its peers in other countries that have similar resource endowment like ours under the directorship of these former GMDs, we wouldn’t have been in this mess.

    “All the problems we are having is as result of what all these people who have assembled now to be the wise men and to tell us what should be done…

    They do not have the moral standpoint to even advise us on what to do because they had a hand in it. I cannot see how you can solve a problem under the same condition that created it. They are more or less acting as enemies of the people and even the government they are advising.

    “As far as I am concerned, maybe they were sent to destroy this government and as far as I am concerned we would not allow them to do that”

    Abdullahi noted that President Muhammadu Buhari and his economic team were doing their best to turn things around for better.

    He insisted that if supported by Nigerians, the government would succeed to turn things around for the good of the country.

    But the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) said it will resist any attempt by the government to increase the petrol price, adding that the NNPC management is not fit to manage the oil sector.

    In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Acting General Secretary Simeso Amachree, the congress said the statement by ex-NNPC chiefs calling for an increase in the price of petrol from N145 was an act of provocation of Nigerian workers.

    The TUC said it was sad the call came when the Federal Government is yet to fulfil its promises and agreement reached with organised labour during the protest against the last hike in May.

    It said: “In case the management of the NNPC has forgotten, the economy is in crisis and life has become very difficult for the common man who now can hardly afford two meals per day. The present minimum wage can longer purchase a bag of rice.

    “Businesses are shutting down, leading to millions of job losses, which of course have accentuated increased cases of crime and other vices. If all the members of the NNPC team can offer as recipe to curtail this scourge of economic downturn is to hike the price of petroleum products, then they are not fit to manage the sector and should throw in the towel.

    “If the country had other sources of forex or produces most of what it imports, the economy would not be what it is now. What stops the government from building more refineries and diversifying the economy?

    “The Federal Government should maintain some stability of forex, taking into cognisance the fact that Nigeria is an import-dependent country. The implication of refining outside the country is enormous: if you are refining outside you must pay for cost of transportation, insurance and port charges etc. We just cannot continue to tow the same line.

    “The economy is already on its knees, and it is our thinking that the priority of government now should be how to salvage the situation through other creative and resourceful avenues, such as: downwardly reviewing the cost of governance, creating friendly business environment and jobs, diversifying the economy, setting up an economic team that would creatively fashion out modalities to navigate the stormy waters of recession.

    “If persons in government feel our pains as it claims to do, then the news that people are already exchanging their children for bags of rice should prick their conscience.

    ”The Congress will resist further hike in the price of petrol if that is what it will take to get the government into thinking out of the box. We do hope it doesn’t get to that.

    “We urge the government to fulfil its promises for which it set up the joint Governemnt-Labour Committee to determine a new more economically realistic national minimum wage and proffer ways by which pains of the last increment can be ameliorated.”

     

  • •Govt to observe low-key 20th anniversary

    •Govt to observe low-key 20th anniversary

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has affirmed his readiness to demolish more houses in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to pave the way for the flyover project.

    Speaking yesterday evening during this month’s edition of his media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, aired on the major electronic media in the state, Fayose said the demolition would begin on Monday.

    Fayose said the demolition of houses on the flyover route was to build road beside the bridge to ease mobility and traffic.

    He apologised to residents, motorists, pedestrians and commuters coming in and out of Ado Ekiti for inconveniences experienced during construction of the flyover.

    Houses were demolished on May 16, 2005, during Fayose’s first administration to allow for dualisation of the road from Okesa to Ijigbo area of Ado Ekiti.

    Fayose explained: “From next Monday, houses will be demolished for the road construction to complement the flyover. We are also going to demolish buildings constructed along flood plains.”

    The governor explained that there will be a low-key celebration for the 20th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State on October 1 and the second anniversary of his administration on October 16.

    He said: “We will have a low-key celebration; if it is only prayer we will organise to mark the day, we are going to do it because of the economic situation of the state. We must live within the ambit of our resources.”

    The governor vowed not to relent in changing the face of Ado Ekiti, saying the decision to take traders using wheelbarrow to market their ware off the streets was to ensure sanity.

    Fayose pledged to organise free eye tests, blood tests and blood pressure tests for residents in the 16 local governments to boost health care delivery of citizens.

    He promised to provide free reading glasses to people suffering from eye defects.

    Fayose assured the people that he will provide jobs to more people, even with limited resources and existing vacancies.

    The governor added that he will begin unscheduled visits to local government secretariats to take roll of workers found at their duty posts to check truancy and absenteeism.

    Fayose declared that his administration will not tolerate a situation in which some workers collect salaries through ATM in Lagos, but stay away from their offices.

  • Govt votes N567.4b for rail upgrade

    The Federal Government has set aside N567.4 billion ($1.68 billion) for the upgrade and modernisation of the Kano-Kaduna segment of the Lagos-Kano rail line.

    The contract for the project has been awarded to a Chinese firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    According to a statement endorsed by Yi Er San Ri and Liunian Jiuyue, on behalf of the construction giant at the weekend, the two-lane standard gauge design will travel at a maximum driving speed of 150kilometres per hour (km/hr).

    In context, the rail line can move as fast as travelling from Lagos to Ibadan in 48 mins. This is expected to be faster than the Kaduna-Abuja rail line.

    CCECC also signed a contractn worth $3.4 billion for the construction of the Calabar-Port Harcourt Segment 1, which aims to extend the rail line between Calabar and Port Harcourt to Onne Deep Seaport.

    In 2006, the Chinese firm signed the Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project, to upgrade and modernise transportation between Lagos-Ibadan, Ibadan-Ilorin, Ilorin-Minna, Minna-Abuja, Abuja-Kaduna, and Kaduna to Kano.

    The contract was signed at $8.3 billion at the time, only for the government to ask for the suspension of the project in 2008.

    According to CCECC, the government later negotiated for the implementation of the Lagos-Ibadan, and Abuja-Kaduna segments of the project.

    The Abuja-Kaduna rail line was delivered on July 13, this year while the Lagos-Ibadan segment remain uncompleted.

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi said the newly signed projects would be concluded in two years but CCECC said the project will be concluded in 36 months contradicting.

    Last week, the same Chinese firm, announced that it had won the $1.851 billion Kano city light rail project.

  • Jonathan govt looted Nigeria dry, says Oni

    Jonathan govt looted Nigeria dry, says Oni

    •‘Ekiti does not need flyover now

    The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Segun Oni, has criticised those calling for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari on the management of the economy, branding them as mischievous and wicked.”

    Oni said the prevailing socio-economic hardship being faced by Nigerians was a consequence of alleged mismanagement of the economy and unprecedented looting of the treasury witnessed in the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While contending that Buhari did not cause the economic downturn, Oni urged Nigerians to be patient with the President and give him the support to turn around the nation’s fortunes, which was allegedly squandered by the last administration.

    Oni spoke at the weekend during a civic reception in honour of  the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), Prof. Kayode Soremekun, by residents, led by the Oloye, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju.

    The former Ekiti State governor promised that the economy will be revamped given efforts by the Federal Government to ensure a turnaround, which he noted are yielding results.

    He hoped the APC would regain Ekiti State at the 2018 governorship election to deliver the state from alleged misplacement of priorities and poor governance by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government.

    Oni said: “It is not possible for Nigerians not to get the results they are getting now, given the wanton depravity and extreme perverseness of the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan”.

    “Have you seen an economy where marabouts are given such humongous cash simply because somebody wants to win an election and return to power at all cost. Those urging the President to resign are mschievous. Buhari did not cause what we are witnessing today.

    “We are talking about those who were not content with stealing just money but even crude oil. Its was like hiring vandals to situate and superintend over the fortunes of a country. That administration committed a lot of atrocities and visited mindboggling crimes upon the people. They just looted Nigeria dry.”

    On the situation in Ekiti, Oni said:  “If the government is able to govern Ekiti so well there won’t be any need sending our children to school.

    “You don’t need stargazers or soothsayers to tell you Ekiti does not need flyovers when you cannot pay salaries, when many projects are left abandoned, when civil servants are dying of hunger.

    “Governor Ibikunle Amosun did not say he won’t pay workers just because he is building bridges in Ogun State. During my administration, Ekiti was No. 10 on the Human Development Index because we were No. 24 on the income per capita index.

    “I did not come into government because of money. I have never lacked in my life. I sought the opportunity to govern Ekiti because I saw a need for the intervention of genuine, people-focused administration, which my administration gave. Evidences are there.

  • ‘Govt’s support to agric industrialisation vital’

    The Director-General, African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), Dr. Obiora Madu, has said the government is taking steps to improve trade finance avalability to address the gaps in  agro industrialisation, growth and job creation.

    Speaking with The Nation, Madu said the pool of funds established by the government was to serve players in the sector, hitherto underserved by financial institutions.

    The situation, according to him,  requires the government to promote and support bank-intermediated trade finance activities, vital for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) access to capital and credit insurance against global trade risks.

    The absence of export credit guarantees, he noted, was hindering  the  involvement of banks and agri entrepreneurs in export business.

    He said the economy needed trade and credit risk insurance products that encouraged foreign direct investment and trade.

    Madu noted that agribusiness held the key to meeting the demand for food, particularly processed food. The availability of credit for producers, he said, would smoothen the shift from primary production to modern integrated agribusiness, and provide opportunities to many farmers.

    According to him,  funds provided by the Bank of Industry (BoI)  and other  financial service players, can boost agro production and exports, help entrepreneurs hire more hands, and highlight the critical importance of trade credit to economic growth.

    Such facilities would  help to support the expansion of agro business operations as well as provide for critical inputs, such as chemicals, pesticides, farm machinery, spares and equipment, which the country is in dire need of to revive its agricultural sector, he said.

    He said the demand for trade finance could help Nigerians  explore new opportunities.

    Madu expressed satisfaction that the government had introduced reforms to develop the economic and financial system, including trade finance for SMEs.

    Meanwhile, President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has urged countries to institutionalise systems to support agric trade.

    Adesina, who spoke at the Sasakawa Symposium on “Contributing to social security and jobs through agriculture: 30 years of Sasakawa in Africa”, at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in Nairobi, Kenya, maintained that creating markets, developing infrastructure and providing finance for farmers were key to transforming agriculture in Africa.

    Adesina noted that these factors were necessary to transform agriculture into a wealth-creating sector which generates income for farmers.

    “Governments can do this by developing agro-allied industrial zones and staple crop processing zones in rural areas. The zones, supported with consolidated infrastructure – roads, water, electricity – would drive down the cost of doing business for private food and agribusiness firms,” he said.

    Such zones will create markets for farmers, boost economic opportunities in rural areas, stimulate jobs and attract more domestic and foreign investments into rural areas, Adesina said.

    “They will turn the rural areas into zones of economic prosperity,” Adesina said.

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Chief Audu Ogbeh reiterated the significance of extension services, regretting the low number of extension workers in the country, which stand at a ratio of one extension worker to 8,000 farmers.

    “Farmers need support and education on new technology that will help them to reap maximum benefits from their farms,” Ogbeh said.

  • 41,161 benefit from Fed Govt’s graduate internship scheme

    The Project Director of the Federal Ministry of Finance’s Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), Mr Dennis Chukwu, has said 41,161 graduates have so far benefited from the scheme since it started in 2013.

    The scheme trains graduates on job creation and employ-ability skills over a period of 12 months during which they are attached to various firms and are paid some stipends.

    Speaking during a Career Development and Entrepreneurship Skills training facilitated by Faziya Global Resources for interns and firms’ representatives that just concluded their training in Cross River, he said 68 per cent of them are male, 31 per cent female and one per cent vulnerable.

    Chukwu who was represented by Project Director, GIS, Mr Dare Odunlade, said, “Over 35,000 have exited the scheme, with thousands of them having secured jobs. Many have secured credit facilities and grants (including YouWiN! Grant) to expand businesses they set up using GIS stipends and many have set up cooperative associations, some of which have transformed into SMEs. Rather than seeking for work, they are now becoming employers.

    ”As government, we can boldly say that the purpose of setting up the GIS, which is for unemployed graduates to acquire employable skills, is being achieved. It is also my hope that some years down the line, the GIS interns will galvanize different sectors, especially the non-oil sectors, which are the new focus of the Nigerian economy.”

    Also at another GIS orientation training for new intakes into the programme, facilitated by Econometrica Consultants Limited in Calabar, Head of Operations, GIS, Akubo Adegbe, explained, “They run for 12 months and exit the scheme. For those that have finished the programme, a lot of them have been employed by the organization where they are working. Others employed by other organizations based on the skills, which they have learnt. Some of them have set up their own businesses. This is an orientation and employability skills training. Our message to the graduates is that they have an opportunity that other Nigerian graduates do not have, to be an intern for 12 months and earn N30, 000 per month. They should make use of that opportunity and not abuse it.”

    Dr Mahmoud Muktar Saidu, Econometrica Consultants Limited said the aim of the programme is to prepare graduates to be self-reliant to equip them with the necessary skills of setting up their own businesses.

    ”It is for them to understand their environment, especially the economic environment of Nigeria. So we make sure this graduates understand it is not the sole responsibility of the government to provide every single employment that the Nigerian economy requires. These graduates have various skills that are untapped in them. The aim is tap such kinds of skills. Make them aware of it. The programme is intended to make them employers,” Saidu said.

    A beneficiary of the programme from Obubra local government area, Mr Igot Enama Enama, expressed gratitude foe the programme and urged the government to continue and make it better. He called for support of all Nigerians for the present administration in the country to succeed.

  • NIPR faults govt’s use of non-professionals as image makers

    The Federal Government’s engagement of uncertified public relations practitioners to handle the nation’s  image rebranding campaigns has drawn the ire of the sector’s leadership.

    The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos chapter, at a  Stakeholders’ Conference, said the government should learn from the failure of past national image rebranding campaigns and ensure that only professionals were employed tohandle its image agenda.

    The Chief Executive Officer, C&F/Porter Novelli and a member of NIPR, Mr. Nnemeka Maduegbuna, who also condemned the lack of professionalism in the handling of the nation’s PR campaign, said the successful management of Nigeria’s reputation at home and abroad would attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    Lack of coordination in Nigeria’s PR campaigns has resulted in the fall of FDI from $8 billion in 2011 to $3 billion last year, he said at the  conference with the theme: “Communication, Reputation and Sustainable Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria.”

    He said Ghana, with $3.2 FDI last year, was ahead of Nigeria, blaming lack of transparency in the foreign exchange trading, policy somersaults, poor infrastructure, insecurity and lack of PR strategy for communication management for the nation’s awkward standing.

    He said PR played a significant role in restrategising national communication approach and reputation management to enhance sustainable FDI inflow into the country.

    “Any government that refuses to communicate will soon go into extinction. But you have got to earn a reputation before you can communicate,” he said.

    Maduegbuna also urged the government to adopt a macro-economic policy that will enhance wealth creation through transformation of raw materials into finished products.

    NIPR Lagos Chapter chairman  Mr. Segun McMedal, who described the theme of the conference as timely, called on the government to improve infrastructure to attract more FDI.

    “The preferred destinations for FDI have good infrastructure and steady macro-economic environment. Places like Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, the preferred investors’ destinations, are known for their world class infrastructure,” McMedal said.

    The President, Africa Public Relations Association, Mr. Yomi Badejo, stressed the need for government to employ professionals to manageg the country’s reputation.

    The Lagos NIPR Stakeholders’ Conference, an annual event organised by Addefort Limited, a public relations outfit, in collaboration with the Lagos Chapter, is aimed at creating a viable bridge-building platform for stakeholders to discuss and proffer solutions to social, political and economic challenges plaguing the nation.

  • Govt urged to review import policy

    The Federal Government has been urged to review its import and economic policies.

    The call was made yesterday in Lagos by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

    The scored the economic policy of the Federal Government low.

    Its President General Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel said it was wrong for the government to ban importation of wheat, vehicle spare parts, and industrial machineries without considering availability and affordability.

    He said about 3000 of its members have been laid-off by shipping companies, terminal operators and logistic firms.

    He also claimed that the policy has sent 20 shipping companies out of the country as a result of dwindled balance sheet.

    He said: “As an import-dependent country, Nigeria cannot suddenly ban the importation of principal goods being generally consumed in the country.

    “A situation in which the importation of rice which has become our staple food is banned without ensuring local production is dangerous and does not serve the nation’s interest.”

    As a remedy, the union however demanded for a review of the ban. It specifically appealed to the Federal Government to reverse the ban on items such as wheat, vehicle spare parts, and industrial machineries.

    “Failure to do this will encourage smuggling, diversion of ships to neighbouring countries, idle ports, retrenchment of workers, unemployment and general loss of revenue to government,” he said.

  • Federal government uncovers 5,000 more ghost workers, says osinbajo

    Federal government uncovers 5,000 more ghost workers, says osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday acknowledged that times are hard, appealing to Nigerians to bear with the government.

    Prof. Osinbajo, who spoke at a church programme in Ogere, Ogun State, said the government uncovered additional 5,000 ghost workers in the civil service.

    The discovery has brought the number of ghost workers  uncovered to 40,000 under the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

    Represented by Pastor Seyi Malomo, chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, at the 80th Tabieorar Festival of the Church of the Lord Prayer Fellowship Worldwide, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Osinbajo said he and President Muhammadu Buhari, shared the people’s pain.

    He promised that there would be “full restoration soon”.

    The annual spiritual programme, which attracted dignitaries worldwide, started at 4 pm on Monday, and ended at 5 am yesterday.

    The Vice President said: “For instance, government has introduced major fiscal measures to save our nation’s hard earned income…Also , government is daily weeding out public sector ghost workers;  over 40,000 so far. Before now, salaries collected by ghost workers on a monthly basis ran into billions of naira that could have been profitably used for the public. We have cut down and are still cutting down on frivolous expenditures”.

    Reiterating that the administration inherited a badly-managed economy, high level insecurity and massive corruption, the Vice President said the government was tackling these challenges.

    The presidency, he said, would  re-lay the foundation to take Nigeria back to glory.

    The Vice President explained that the government has returned to sustainable economic development with a focus on agriculture , adding that the initiative would address youth unemployment.

    “We are gradually diversifying the economy by exploring alternative revenue options, particularly in the solid and natural mineral sector. Recently, we untied the legal knot that had kept a major economic sector comatose for years. As a result we should see results from the resuscitation of the Nigeria Iron Mining Company, Itakpe, and the Ajaokuta Steel , Kogi “, he said.

    Earlier, the church’s Primate Rev Rufus Okikiola Ositelu  called for special courts to handle  corruption cases. He praised the bold actions of President Buhari in the  fight against corruption.

    The primate urged all levels of government to intensify efforts towards closing the infrastructure gap.

    Speaking on the theme of this year’s festival “ Glory to Glory”, Ositelu said the Holy Mount Tabieorar was founded for distribution and impartation of God’s mercies .

    He enjoined the congregation to focus on the ultimate goal of eternal life rather than present pains .

    “As we face great troubles ,it is easy to focus on the pains rather than on our ultimate goal. Just as athletes concentrate on the finish line and ignore their discomfort , we too must focus on the reward for our faith and the joy that lasts forever . No matter what happens to us in this life , we have the assurance of eternal life  when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away”, he said.

    In attendance were top government officials, lawmakers, members of diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers, the General Secretary World Council of Churches (WCC), Geneva, Switzerland, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, and Ecumenical Theologian , Bread for the World, Berlin, Germany, Rev. Prof. Dietrich Werner.

     

  • Mbaka to Buhari: PDP members in your govt

    Mbaka to Buhari: PDP members in your govt

    Fiery Catholic priest, Rev.Ejike Mbaka, has warned President Muhammadu Buhari that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are working in his administration.

    The cleric noted that the President was not free enough to deliver democracy dividends to Nigerians because of the presence of the PDP elements surrounding him.

    Mbaka, who addressed reporters during the graduation of former Niger Delta agitators in Enugu after their nine-month training, said the presence of the PDP elements was making the spirit of looting to hover in the country.

    The fiery preacher said the looters were so mindless in stealing the nation’s resources that it would be difficult to believe they are Nigerians.

    He said: “I wonder where their blood is flowing from.”

    The ex-Niger Delta militants had mobbed the cleric as he was about leaving the venue. They sought his blessings.

    The former agitators, who completed training in plastic manufacturing at the Innoson Kiara Academy in Enugu, got his blessings while he was saying the opening prayers and during his exhortation.

    But the militants insisted that he must touch them individually to ensure the blessings entered their bodies.

    The ex-Niger Delta agitators ambushed Mbaka as he left the venue.

    Midway into the presentation of certificates, Mbaka stood up to leave through a corner, not knowing that the ex-agitators were watching him.

    As he came out of the graduation arena, the former militants cornered him, insisting he must touch their foreheads.

    The priest, who was all smiles, touched each of them.

    Mbaka implored them to explore the potential of the programme they went through and become useful to their communities and Nigeria.

    Blessing the former agitators, the priest prayed that nobody shall “use you again negatively”.

    He added: “It shall be well with you. God will supply all your needs and your future will be visited by blessings and miracles. You shall prosper and succeed. Jesus will be with you and will never abandon you. Your life can never be destroyed. You will never regret this programme and nobody shall use you negatively again.”

    He advised them never to succumb to intimidation of any type, adding that President Buhari meant well for them.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd), hoped the ex-agitators would use the skills acquired to improve their lives and communities.

    He urged them to shun violence, thanking God that they successfully completed the course.

    Boroh said: “Nigeria’s Niger Delta is the biggest in Africa, the third largest in the world. I want you to appreciate it and not to destroy it. I am happy that you learnt something in the Innoson Kiara Academy and you will advance. I will make sure I monitor you and drive you to success in your endeavours.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Kiara Academy, Endi Ezengwa, offered jobs in Innoson Group of Companies to those who wished to work with them.

    Ezengwa said: “One of the things that impressed me most was their quest for knowledge. At the beginning, I thought the lectures were too advanced for them but it turned out that they enjoyed the lectures and wanted more.”

    The company chief hoped the Federal Government and state governments in Niger Delta would support Innoson Group to establish model plastic industries in the region.

    He said: “We can source raw materials locally at Eleme. Clusters of our graduates will be part of these factories and we will support them to establish, manage and own them eventually.”