The Presidential Amnesty Programme is exploring areas of collaboration with the Navy in training of former-agitators.
This was disclosed when the Interim Administrator of the programme received received the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo in his office in Abuja.
In a statement by the Programme’s Acting Head of Information, Alaenetonwa Lawson, the interim administrator who was represented by the Head of Reintegration, Mr. Wilfred Musa applauded the institutional capacity of the Nigerian Navy especially the Naval Engineering college and said the Amnesty programme will take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Nigerian Navy in training the former agitators.
The naval delegation led by Rear Admiral Sdel Ladan assured the interim administrator of the Nigerian Navy’s readiness to provide the support the Amnesty programme seeks.
President Muhammadu Buhari recently extended the Presidential Amnesty Programme and appointed Major General Barry Ndiomu retired to reposition it.
Retired Major General Barry Ndiomu’s appointment followed the removal of the former Coordinator of the Programme, Charles Dokubo.
The appointment of General Barry Ndiomu was interpreted by many as a move to bring the programme to an end after more than a decade of its existence.
The extension of the Amnesty programme by President Muhammadu Buhari has ensured that the rumoured decision to end the programme is dispelled.
The Amnesty Programme was first put in place by late President Umar Musa Yar’Dua to address the agitation by Niger Delta Youth for the equitable distribution of the Wealth of the Region, Development, Youth engagement and empowerment for the teeming population and mitigation of the unprecedented Environmental Degradation Suffered by the region due to Oil exploration.
The programme has been extended by all Presidents after him to continue the engagement with the Youth and the general populace in the region and ensure the continued production of Crude Oil.