ACTING PRESIDENT, SENATE PRESIDENT, PLEDGE MORE SUPPORT FOR NIGER DELTA AMNESTY PROGRAMME, COMMENDS AMNESTY BOSS.
Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, Senate President
and Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, have applauded the various
ongoing training programmes of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, under
Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), adding that the numerous achievements
recorded in the programme were a sure proof that “the future is bright, not
only for the Niger Delta region, but Nigeria in general
Professor Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the Deputy
Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye, at a reception organised by the
Presidential Amnesty Office in collaboration with the Nigerian High Commission
in the United Kingdom in honour of 144 Presidential Amnesty Programme’s
successful delegates drawn from several universities at the Nigeria House
London, gave credence to the educational component of the Amnesty Programme.
He explained that whilst the current administration is
working hard to create job opportunities for the youth, beneficiaries of the
Presidential Amnesty scholarship scheme should apply the various skills
acquired during their studies to establish viable enterprises, pointing out
that the essence of the scholarship is to create a balance in education and
entrepreneurship towards achieving sustainable and a solid economic stability
in the Niger Delta region.
Nigeria’s Acting President commended the beneficiaries for
their perseverance and hard work in achieving the feats they have attained as
good ambassadors in course of their studies in the United Kingdom.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, represented by Senator
Philip Aduda, who expressed confidence in the Presidential Amnesty Programme,
urged the Amnesty delegates to remain resilient, focused, calm and supportive
of the President Muhammandu Buhari’s administration.
The Senate President commended President Buhari for
sustaining the Amnesty Programme, just as he spoke well of the Special Adviser
to the President on Niger Delta/Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty
Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) for his objectivity and foresight
in the implementation of the reintegration phase of the Presidential Amnesty
Programme.
He enjoined the student delegates to remain true peace
ambassadors by promoting harmonious co-existence with others in keeping with
bilateral agreements wherever they find themselves as Nigerians.
Speaking at the reception, Special Adviser to the President
on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier
General Paul Boroh (rtd) described the event as a presentation of some of
Nigeria’s best talents and a showcase of the nation’s bright future.
The elated Gen. Boroh said the outstanding performance of
the student delegates were made possible through the unique leadership style
and support structure provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, who according to
him, has ensured adequate release of funds to the Amnesty Office.
He also appreciated the efforts of Acting President
Professor Yemi Osinbajo who he noted took the pains to reach out to the people
of the Niger Delta by touring the states on fact finding and conflict
resolution mission in order to achieve peace and security, reiterating that
“peace is expensive to achieve but succeeding requires consistent collaboration
among government, communities, stakeholders, groups and individuals”.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator Peter
Nwaoboshi explained that the “challenges experienced during the programme are
not signs of abandonment”, just as he assured the delegates that the federal
government has their interest at heart.
On his part, Nigeria’s Acting High Commissioner to the
United Kingdom, A.S. Ogar said it was heart-warming to receive the graduands on
completion of their programmes which the embassy has been involved in, even as
he advised Nigerian students studying abroad not to attract negative reports to
themselves as such reports do not give good image of themselves and their
country.
Also speaking, a representative of the student delegates
Emomotimi Ziprebo who graduated in law said the success stories of delegates
from universities at home and abroad were proofs that the Amnesty programme is
working.
He expressed gratitude to the federal government and the
Coordinator of the programme for the meticulous manner the scholarship programme
is being handled, while appealing to the federal government to implement an
all-inclusive master plan for the development of the Niger Delta region.
Six out of the 144 delegates made First Class Honours, while
twenty three others came out in Second Class Upper Division in various
disciplines from universities across the United Kingdom.
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