Nigeria Content Online

Sustaining the
progress recorded under the Federal Government amnesty programme for
former members of armed militant groups in the Niger Delta is important
for lasting peace in the oil producing region.

Timi Alaibe, the
outgoing special adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs said
yesterday in Abuja at the formal handover ceremony to his successor,
Kingsley Kuku, that he must build on the foundation already laid for
the growth and development of the country’s oil bearing areas.

Mr. Alaibe, who
recently resigned to fly the Labour Party flag in the forthcoming
governorship elections in Bayelsa State, claimed that the amnesty
initiative is the most efficiently conducted programme in Africa,
pointing out that this is the first time that known members of armed
militant groups would accept to drop their guns and embrace peace.

“The amnesty
programme is a resounding success. This is the first time that those
who were carrying arms are transformed into those writing examinations
on non-violence, having shown their readiness to embrace integration in
the society,” he said.

He said the
programmes and operational structure already put in place under his
leadership have charted the pathway for his successor’s success, to
achieve the Federal Government’s objective of providing employment for
youth in the area.

Mr. Alaibe said a
total of 12,917 former members of various Niger Delta armed militant
groups participated in the demobilisation and integration process
through non-violent and conflict resolution programmes, while an
additional 6,166 others enlisted last December.

“I believe my
successor has the pedigree and experience to carry on, to help realise
the Federal Government objectives of creating jobs for the youth and
guaranteeing peace in the Niger Delta region,” he said.

Kingsley Kuku, the
new special adviser to the president on Niger Delta Affairs, and former
spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), pledged his commitment to sustain
the amnesty programme. Mr. Kuku said 13, 043 former militants were
successfully demobilised in 11 batches between June and December last
year.

About 11,000 of the
demobilised ex-militants were posted to various institutions for
training, with 38 sent to South Africa, 34 currently in training in the
country, while 212 are in Ghana for a similar training.