Niger Delta youth leaders back reforms in amnesty programme

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By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Youth leaders from the Niger Delta region have thrown their weight behind the ongoing reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).

The leaders in a letter addressed to Dikio, said they were particularly happy that he resisted the pressure to pay desperate and evil contractors for unverified projects.

The letter, which was signed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by their Coordinator and former Spokesman, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Jeremaiah Owoupele, said Dikio endeared himself to stakeholders in the Niger Delta when he took his time to tour the region and engage critical owners of the programme.

Addressing Dikio in the letter, Owoupele said: “Your strength of character really manifested when you remained unyielding when urged to pay contractors who did imaginary jobs and whose stock in trade is to find willing allies in defrauding our people and depriving them the opportunity of getting the benefits of our hard-earned struggle.

“This has further struck a chord amongst the vast majority of our people, particularly leaders across the length and breadth of our beloved Ijaw nation who have championed several crusades to ensure that officeholders retain a character that is people-oriented.

“I am equally briefed on your decision to break from the norm and re-strategize on your running of the office, with the aim of maximizing and achieving optimal results befitting the office and its mandate. I believe I speak on behalf of many of our kith and kin when I say that this decision has troubled the waters and has left many concerned. However, our support and prayers are with you my honourable sir.

“Please allow us to also commend your approach to the responsibility of leadership and how you launched your tenure. Despite the unique burden on your shoulders, you took time to visit and consult with stakeholders of the region. You visited and checked in with leaders whose contributions to our history retain a character of indelibility.

“You have stolen our hearts and in the process created relationships which show that you have our beloved people at the epicenter of your heart and agenda”.

Owoupele told Dikio that they were aware of plans by profiteers of anti-people’s policies in the region to frustrate his plans and continued with their business as usual, but urged him not to compromise his ideals.

He said: “We are also aware that those, who profiteer in anti-people’s policies and actions have sworn to undercut your time in office for the simple fact that you have resolved not to compromise your ideas and allow them to perpetually plunder our commonwealth.

READ ALSO: PAP’s trainings will focus on food security, Niger Delta, says Dikio

“Please be assured that God, the omnipresent is with thee. We the good people, the development of loving people of Ijaw land are all behind you as long as you adhere to this strict code of ensuring that the narrative of our people is positively changed.

“As we go forward, our council and all other good people will begin to liaise with you at intervals to evaluate your progress and constructively criticize, while also providing alternative paths and solutions where necessary. Ours is to play the part of a watchdog with a view to ensuring that you right the wrongs committed under your predecessors.

“Let me assure you that we will stand with you at all times provided you remain on the sacred and expected path of putting our people first. Please be aware that if you were to brake this sacred creed, you will find us as bees that will sting with the severity of an angry mob”.

“As a former spokesman of the IYC, I encourage you to liaise with the council leaders at all times as this will significantly aid you in your quest to succeed where others failed and put your people behind you at all times.

“They will guide, assist and also raise their concerns when you stray. This is the beauty of having them with you as previously shown by the leadership of Kingsley Kuku. This is one of the reasons why we achieved so much under his stewardship of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”

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