10,000 Ex-militants To Get Agro-based Training
SAN FRANCISCO, November 29, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government of Nigeria has revealed its plan to enroll 10,000 ex-militants in the Niger Delta to be trained in farming under its agricultural initiative at a bio-resource centre in Udi, Bayelsa State.
This was declared by Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (retd.), on Tuesday at Uvwie, Ikpoba-Okha local government after inspecting a fish farm established as an empowerment tool for an ex-militant, Ruben Bibowe Opuobori,
Boroh said the project was part of ways to ensure a sustainable re-integration of ex-agitators with a view to resolving the conflict in the region stating that President Muhammadu Buhari is commitment towards peace in the Niger Delta region by focusing on agriculture because it is the best alternative for the economy of the nation at the moment.
He insisted that the militants still engaging in pipeline vandalism in the region were ignorant of government's efforts towards having a peaceful nation and vibrant economy and would not benefit from the training.
“The drive we are into now is on agriculture because agriculture captures three major items in life. Agriculture ensures that food is secured within the environment,” he said.
“There will be job opportunities for those who have agriculture on their mind as well as increment in their financial position because they will be able to sell their farm products and make some money.
“That is why I am very happy to be here today, after deploring ex-agitators at the bio-resource centre in Odi, Bayelsa State.
“I want 10,000 of them to benefit from this project. Edo State is capturing 100. We will take it up all the way, across the entire Niger Delta; every state will benefit one way or the other.
“Those people involved in pipeline vandalism are not beneficiaries of the programme. They are ignorant of what the Federal Government is doing.”
Story by Oputah David