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Tag: Paul Boroh

  • Ex-militants allege denial of amnesty benefits, stipends

    A group of Niger Delta ex-militants, on Thursday, lamented moves in the Amnesty Office to deny them their stipends and other benefits.

    The ex-agitators, who fell under the third phase Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) , urged the current Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, to investigate their complaints and resolve their problem.

    The leader of the group identified simply as ‘General’ Cairo, a.k.a Esenatebe appealed to the Federal Government to consider their travails with a sense of urgency and seriousness.

    He said: “It is something of shame and shock that since the third phase embraced the Federal Government Amnesty Programme those of the third phase have been neglected and have become objects of pity”.

    The former warlord advised Dokubo to learn from the mistakes of his predecessor, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), in order to realise the objectives of the scheme.

    He recalled that his group, the Cairo Group, stormed the National Assembly on November 1, 2017, for a protest against Boroh and submitted a petition to the lawmakers.

    He said the petitions detailing injustices done them by the amnesty office were also sent to the Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and the Presidency.

    Cairo insisted that if the current leadership failed to address their matter,his group would also embark on another round of protest.

    He said: “The Federal Government Amnesty programme was solely created for the Ijaw youths and other youths in the Niger Delta region, but not for people in northern, western and the eastern parts of the country.

    “We also called for the sacking of non-Niger Deltans from the programme because they have become a stumbling block for human capacity development and the need for all-round development of the region.

    “We have been shortchanged in the allocation of slots. We, therefore appeal for the payment of 1000 slots already approved for the Cairo Group because there are provision and appropriation in the 2018 budget in that regard”.

    He insisted that if their request were not considered, they would embark on a peaceful protest to the National Assembly against their marginalization.

     

  • 28 jobless youths become poultry farmers in Bayelsa

    The retired Brigadier-General, Paul Boroh is no longer the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). He was recently rested by President Muhammadu Buhari. But Boroh will always be remembered for introducing agricultural revolution into the programmes of the amnesty office.

    In fact, many ex-agitators benefitted from various trainings on different aspects of agriculture. Just before he was fired, about 28 beneficiaries graduated from the Evagreen Ventures where they learnt the rudiments of poultry farming. For about a week beginning from March 4th to 10th, the trainees were camped in the farm.

    The Director of Evagreen Ventures, Bidi Emmanuel, said the delegates were selected and sent to the farm by the amnesty office. He said the training was aimed at making the beneficiaries self-sufficient to stop them from relying on stipends from the government.

    He said: “The essence of the training is just to encourage them on how to be self-reliant and not necessarily rely on stipends. It is a life-sustaining training. Though the period is short, with what they’ve gained, they could start somewhere and amnesty has also asked us to empower them after now”.

    Emmanuel said when the trainees arrived the farm, most of them were pessimistic and doubted their ability to start and run a successful business. But at the end if the training, he said they all became optimistic and willing to apply their knowledge.

    He also added that all the beneficiaries were issued certificates to signify their successful completion of their programme. “We expect them after now to become a potential farmer by ensuring that they put what they have learnt into practice, and later follow them up to ensure that the proper thing is done”, he said.

    After the training, questions were raised on how the participants would be empowered to practise their trade. Emmanuel, however, said there was nothing to worry about as everything had been worked out by the amnesty office.

    Indeed, the participants commended the office for the training and praised the facilitators, who taught them how to fish through poultry farming. They pledged to utilize the opportunity and their starter packs to become successful farmers.

    One of the beneficiaries, Tom Austin, said he was interested in growing and selling browsers. He said he paid attention on techniques of growing broilers following the market needs of chicken.

  • Amnesty programme to train 2,000 N/Delta ex-agitators – Boroh

    Amnesty programme to train 2,000 N/Delta ex-agitators – Boroh

    The Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme ( PAP ), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd) says that the programme will train 2,000 ex-militants in various trades to ensure sustained development in Niger-Delta region.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, made the disclosure in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

    “We plan to train 2,000 ex-agitators in addition to the ones we have empowered before, to ensure continuous development of the Niger-Delta region.

    “I believe that when these people are adequately trained and well empowered, the Niger Delta region will become a good place for all to live.

    “The trainees will help boost economic activities of the region, because when the youths do not have a sustainable economic path, our families and communities suffer,” he said.

    He said that the proposed training would be in various fields to enable the beneficiaries acquire different skills, in line with their areas of interest.

    Boroh added that allowing them get trained in their areas of interest, would bring about passion for the skill, and ensure sustenance and ability to judiciously utilize the skills acquired.

    The coordinator said the beneficiaries would be trained in agriculture, restaurant and bar, timber saw and milling, baking, interior decoration, boat construction, film making, communication skills and fine arts.

    He explained that some of the trainees would prefer to go into artistic skill that would make them create something from nothing, something beautiful from something ugly.

    According to Boroh, PAP is looking at manipulative skills, in which a person learns to handle objects with precision, speed and control.

    “We can say that art is a skill obtained through practice. These largely involve physical activities with the use of hand and body coordination to execute a task,” he explained.

    The presidential aide said that the ex-agitators would also be schooled in communication and literacy, decision making, occupational requirements, problem solving, time management and planning skills.

    “These skills will help them cope easily with the daily challenges of life in terms of making decisions and expressing themselves.

    “The empowerment will facilitate good leadership and entrepreneurship, to attaining meaningful development and make the beneficiaries to be financially independent.

    “The training is part of the ongoing re-integration programme of PAP,’’ he said.

    We recall that the Amnesty Programme had in the past trained and empowered over 6,000 ex- agitators in their choice areas of businesses.

    NAN

  • Kinsmen kick as anti-Boroh’s protest rocks Bayelsa

    Kinsmen kick as anti-Boroh’s protest rocks Bayelsa

    Leave Boroh alone, kinsmen warn

     

    Hundreds of youths from Bayelsa State, on Tuesday, blocked major roads in Kolokuma-Opokuma and Yenagoa areas seeking the removal of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd).

    The protesters, who disrupted commercial activities and free-flow of traffic, insisted that Boroh had underperformed and should bow out of the office.

    But the kinsmen of Boroh warned the protesters to leave their brother alone lamenting that attacks on Boroh were being coordinated and sponsored by some corrupt politicians.

    The placard-carrying protesters said funds earmarked for the implementation of the programme were not being properly utilised under Boroh.

    Beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, who dominated the demonstration under the auspices of the Niger Delta for Accountability and Good Governance (NDAGG) appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the amnesty coordinator.

    Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as, “Buhari sack Boroh now!”, “Corruption: Boroh Must Go!” and “EFCC submit your report on Boroh”.

    They told Buhari that the underperformance of Boroh was the reason behind threats by militants to begin fresh violent agitations in the Niger Delta region.

    Speaking during the protest, some of the ex-militants such as Samuel Sogulu, Commander Rollins Ezetu, Commander Ebillo and Opukeme Orubo insisted that the amnesty programme under Boroh have become an avenue for political aides and amnesty staff to amass wealth at the expense of peace in the region.

    Read Also:  Boroh: rumour of sack untrue, baseless

    The Secretary of NDAGG, Mr.Timi  Amgalabiri said the decision to stage the protest in Opokuma junction was to move close to the venue of the Kaima declaration that started the Ijaw struggle and gave birth to the amnesty programme for the youths.

    Angalabiri said: “The Amnesty office is meant to train and empower Niger Deltans. It is meant to be a means of exposing Niger Deltans to the outside world. But shockingly, the Presidential Amnesty under Boroh has been turned into avenues of corruption and intimidation of Niger Delta youths.

    “We have submitted series of petitions against Paul Boroh and his aides and we called on the EFCC to investigate our facts and allegations.

    “We have sent numerous petitions of fraud, stealing and incompetence to Nigerian anti-corruption agencies against the amnesty office.

    Based on this and other alleged cases against his aides, the ongoing investigation by anti-corruption agencies which indicted almost all Boroh’s aides and hundreds of millions found and frozen; we ask that President Buhari ask him to step aside and appoint credible Niger Delta indigene as new special adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).”

    Also in his statement, a member of the NDAGG,  Keisy Agama, alleged that the amnesty beneficiary slots were being sold by  Boroh’s aides from N200,000 N300,000 to unqualified persons.

    But the kinsmen of Boroh under the aegis of Development and Justice Forum (DJF) condemned the protest saying they were sponsored by failed politicians with the selfish motive of hijacking the amnesty programme.

    The Coordinator of DJF, Mr. Christopher Abarowei, appealed to Buhari to dismiss the protest adding that Boroh’s penchant for due process, transparency and accountability exposed him to endless attacks.

    Abarowei said: “We view as wicked, malicious and unacceptable any action that will further put PMB at a disadvantage in view.

    “They are angry with Boroh for instituting many reforms that had sanitised the amnesty office and prevent leakages of funds.

    “These people are no longer getting free money from the office because Boroh insisted that all the money must be applied strictly for the programme.

    “This is the reason they are fighting our innocent brother. The Federal Government should not be deceived by their antics. Boroh is the best thing that has happened for the Amnesty programme”.

     

  • Maritime University: 304 ex-agitators apply for jobs – Boroh

    Maritime University: 304 ex-agitators apply for jobs – Boroh

    The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme ( PAP ), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, said on Thursday that 304 amnesty beneficiaries had applied for job at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.

    The Coordinator said the University had commenced operations and placed advertisements for those interested in working with the institution as academic staff.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved increase in the of take-off grant for the University from the earlier  N2 billion announced to N5 billion.

    He said the grant had already been included in the 2018 budget, under the Federal Ministry of Education allocation, presented to the National Assembly.

    Boroh described the recent upward review of the earlier budgetary allocation from N2 billion to 5 billion in the 2018 budget for the new university, as a show of commitment on the part of the President towards sustainable peace, stability and development in the region.

    He assured that the University would  create massive employment opportunities for youths in the region, adding that so many youths have been trained in different disciplines and vocations.

    Many of them were trained in marine engineering, maritime studies, seamanship, shipping, marine transport related studies, diving, underwater welding, automobile engineering, aviation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, particularly in aquaculture.

    The Special Adviser said the youths can fill the manpower gap in the maritime sector, using the maritime university as the channel.

    Boroh added that the maritime university would continue to provide the platform for many other economic activities and development that would shape the geo-political and socio-economic dynamics in the region.

    He said the University is now hiring professors, readers, senior lecturers, lecturers, assistant lecturers and graduate assistants to teach in the faculties of Science, Maritime Transportation, Maritime Engineering & Technology, Maritime Environmental Management and General Studies.

    “It is important to see unemployed graduates thinking about how to take control of their career development on a daily basis by developing  their skills, values and interests as this will be helpful to them throughout their working life,”.

    The Coordinator , however, urged youths in the region not to give up on their dreams.

    “With high competition for graduate jobs in Nigeria , it’s easy to feel discouraged when looking for a job.

    “You don’t have to give up on your dream job,”  he said.

    He lauded the President for his commitment to the smooth take-off of the University and release of grant.

    He, however, assured that the federal government would sustained the establishment for good.

    The Presidential aide stressed the importance of giving support to the planned development of this administration for the ultimate purpose of improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.

    “Nigerians should know that the president is human and needs the sincere prayers of all well-meaning Nigerians to move the nation forward,” he said.

    NAN

  • Boroh, others for World Habitat Award

    Boroh, others for World Habitat Award

    The World Habitat Ambassadors Foundation ( WHAF ) says it will honour Brig- Gen Paul Boroh ( Rtd ), Special Adviser on Niger Delta to President Muhammad Buhari for his humanitarian and philanthropic endeavours.

    Amb. Hillary Emoh, Principal Consultant of WHAF in an interview with on Wednesday in Abuja, said other notable individuals would also be honoured on Oct. 8 in Abuja.

    Emoh explained that the essence of the award was to honour and celebrate effort by outstanding individuals, organisations and government parastatal that had contributed to the growth and development of the society.

    “Each year, WHAF in partnership with other international organisations organises the World Habitat Humanitarian and Philanthropic Award for Excellence and the Miss UN-World Habitat contest.

    “The 2017 edition will honour Boro, Evangelist Michael Diden (Ejele), High Chief (Amb) Gabriel Oyibode Foundation; President/Founder, Gabriel Oyibode Foundation, the Deputy Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Hassan Abdullahi Baiwa.

    “Others are Director-General, NOSDRA, Sir Peter Idabor, Hon Godwin Ebosa; Chairman, Board of the Delta Oil Producing Area Development Commission ( DESOPADEC ).

    “Georgia State Representative, Hon James Beverly from the U.S., Lady Charity Nwakolam Ohadiugha, President of ‘Creative Minds’, Martine Maignan, Founder, Prince Osisioma Foundation, Prince Onyeka Eze among others.” Emoh said.

    WHAF is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to achieving the set-goals for urban development, sustainable shelter, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

    “WHAF is working to help people access decent healthy and secured housing through identifying innovative housing policy and practice, promoting these ideas, and supporting the exchange and transfer of good practices.

    “WHAF has over the years been working in collaboration with other agencies, organisations, and institutions in Africa, Canada and the United States of America,” he said.

    NAN

  • ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    Retired  Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,  says more than  five million people in the Niger Delta  region have benefited from the initiative   since 2009.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, disclosed this in Akure  shortly after receiving an award as Niger Delta Peace Ambassador from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council.

    He said that the  amnesty programme was initiated  in 2009 due to the conflict in the Niger delta region.

    Boroh said that it  was difficult to be specific on the amount that Federal Government had  so far spent  in restoring  peace in the area.

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

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

    The presidential aide also commended the response and efforts of the Federal Government in restoring  peace across  the country.

    “I, as a Niger Deltan, I’m very concerned  about what is happening in the region.

    “It is because of  the performance of the programme that our crude oil output has increased  to 2.3 million  barrels  per day as we speak.

    “This was achieved  by the efforts  of the government through the presidential amnesty programme,’’ he said.

    Boroh pleaded with the Niger Delta people to hasten their desired development of the area  and embrace peace.

    He also reiterated the government’s  warning  on  anyone promoting   hate speeches capable of disrupting the peace of the country.

    “Basically,  peace resolution is  a collective effort and responsibility of all Nigerians,  particularly in our region, Niger Delta.

    “It is all our responsibility to achieve this, let us not be tired, don’t allow negative forces to weigh you down and be positive even in your pronouncement,’’ he said.

  • Akeredolu urges FG to expand amnesty programme

    Akeredolu urges FG to expand amnesty programme

    The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday urged the Federal Government to expand the amnesty programme to accommodate more youths in the Niger Delta region.

    Akeredolu made the call when the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) visited him in Akure.

    The governor said the federal government could take a cue from Ondo State, which created a University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa, where people could learn how to build boats and take engineering courses.

    “It is unnecessary to send them out of the country.

    “A university can be set up here; the one that can teach them to build flying boats and other things that will make them to be useful to themselves and the area.

    “So many things can be learnt from the university. Let us integrate more of them into the amnesty programme; let us engage them to reduce youth restiveness in the region,” he said.

    Earlier, Boroh said he was happy with the relative peace in the ijaw area of the state.

    Boroh said he was in the state for the summit of the National Council on Niger Delta and to assess other issues.

    NAN

  • PAP trains 14,366 ex-agitators, more to graduate before December. – Boroh

    PAP trains 14,366 ex-agitators, more to graduate before December. – Boroh

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

    Boroh made this disclosure when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

    He explained that their capacities had also been developed in the areas of agriculture, automobile engineering, aviation sector and then we are also looking at the sports sector.

    “As we speak we have trained well over 5,000 persons in the area of education capacity development and we have trained well over 22,000 others in the area of skills acquisitions and entrepreneurship development.”

    He added that since the inception of the programme, it had granted amnesty to 30,000 ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region as well as pronouncement of their engagement to capacity development.

    Boroh said that between now and Dec. 17, its organisation would continue to graduate more ex-agitators, who have benefited from the scheme.

    According to the Coordinator, the Amnesty education programme is winding down and there is need to graduate more of the beneficiaries.

    He said the role of education in a national development cannot be over emphasized.

    He added that education was a pivotal investment for human and economic development and also influenced by the environment within which it exists.

    Boroh said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is aware of the need of today’s youth to have a specific set of skills to survive in this competitive world to progress.

    The Presidential aide said that the beneficiaries who are now graduates were aware of the socio-economic scenario of the nation and can help in moving the region and the nation forward.

    According to him, the beneficiaries can now contribute towards nation-building which requires a democratic society that allows the contribution of all, rich or poor.

    “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 acquisitions, entrepreneurship and educational development.

  • Presidential aide charges states to complement FG’s amnesty programmes

    Presidential aide charges states to complement FG’s amnesty programmes

    The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh has urged states in the Niger Delta region to come with up youth inclusiveness programme.

    Boroh made this call at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum held in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said that the states should also ensure an enabling environment for the business of the youths to thrive.

    According to him, the Federal Government’s Presidential Amnesty Programme would be more successful with the support of the states.

    “Now in the area of sustainability of the presidential amnesty programme, it’s a programme that only the Federal Government has been responsible for managing since 2009.

    “It is an extremely expensive programme but (it is responsible) for the peace which we are all enjoying now.

    “ I want to discuss the need for the states to also be involved in ensuring that they too come up with their own programme that will be more encompassing that will have their youths very well managed.

    “As an executive of a state, it is his (state governor) responsibility to ensure there is peace in the states (and to create) the platform for job opportunities for the people in the state and then to also ensure that people in the states go about their normal business.

    “ So I think the states should also be more involved in ensuring that they establish the enabling environment to allow for peace, stability and development in the various states,’’ he said.

    The coordinator also called on the Niger Delta people to continue to patiently support efforts by the Federal Government and other stakeholders towards addressing the challenges of the region.

    “My experience working in the Presidential Amnesty Office reveals to me a lot of behavioural attitude of people in that region.

    “That we are not as patient as we should be. Even Rome was not built in one day. It requires planning to get it right.

    “ Children that are born definitely have some time before they try to stand up and when they stand up, they take their time to also walk.

    “Even the days and the nights when you wake up in the morning you still need to find the day later there will be afternoon and then towards evening hours there will be night fall and then night.

    “ We should actually plan properly before we execute our plans; we should be patient with the government to get it right. If you rush things at the end you will not get it right.’’