The Federal Government through the Presidential Amnesty Programme has commissioned a world class Oil and Gas vocational training center in Agadagba Obon, Ese Edo Local Government Area of Ondo State to train ex-agitators in the Niger Delta Region.
Speaking at the commissioning the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and the Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo said, “we are determined to make the training of ex-agitators to be job specific, we undertook a thorough opportunity mapping and needs assessment; it is not only a training center but it will be linked to the Petroleum Training Institute for issuance of certificate, assessment and also to determine performance so that they will be qualified to compete for jobs in Nigeria and any other part of the world”.
Also speaking the Governor of Ondo State, represented by his deputy Agboola Ajayi said, “The essence of this programme has not just impacted in the life of the individual, but it has transformed the entire Niger Delta States in the area of capacity building, empowerment and this has actually sustained peace more than before. It shows that this government has given attention to our people. The Niger Delta people are not violent, they are ready to also embrace peace and see that things are being done the way it is done in the civilized world. To look at the programme since inception, you must appreciate the fact that it has not only, like I said, impacted on individuals but it has also improved and increased the revenue drive of the government in the area of daily production of crude oil. I commend the operators and the Federal Government for keeping this programme”.
The Senate and House of Representatives also lauded the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, for his achievements with the amnesty programme.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Mr. Peter Nwabushi, pledged more support from the Senate to uplift the Programme to greater heights. Nwabuchi, praised Dokubo for his prudent management of funds and transparency. The senator, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Baba Kaka Bashiru, said: “The Presidential Amnesty Programme, which was established in 2009, has had four chief executives as Special Advisers/Coordinators. Of all the four, I can confidently say that the present coordinator has been very proactive and eager to realise the mandate of the Programme. By this, I mean he always consulted with the National Assembly in initiating activities that will move the organisation forward.”
“In his short time in office, he has demonstrated capacity to transform the Niger Delta for sustainable development. Our committee is pleased with his efforts; he is a square peg in a square hole.
“The Coordinator has demonstrated that he has nothing to hide by always seeking to synergise with the National Assembly and stakeholders to achieve set objectives. Last year, the committee recommended N65 billion which was passed in the appropriation bill. When we visited his office, he presented a report which encapsulated so many reports of what he has achieved in the Niger Delta.”
“We are very proud of him, and this year, our committee will do more to improve on the achievements of the agency. It is in consideration of his good work that we are here to grace this occasion. No doubt, the vocational training centre will impact positively on this community, the local government, this state; the Niger Delta and the country.”
Istiphanus Gyang, who spoke on behalf of members of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta, noted that the Amnesty Programme was designed to train and empower youths in the oil-rich region. He said the vocational training centre will engage some beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme in the oil industry.
“We, at the National Assembly, have supported the initiative with appropriation and funding. We are, therefore, glad today that the sound we created is attracting the needed value as we have seen in this place.”
