Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — A total of 100 already trained beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in Rivers State, have been given starter packs to set up businesses in their various trade areas as part of efforts to reintegrate them into the society.
Items distributed to the beneficiaries who were mainly from Ateke Tom’s camp in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, include deep freezers, sewing machines, generators, among others.
Speaking at the event, Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Prof. Charles Dokubo, said the beneficiaries are empowered with starter packs to enable them engage in productive ventures and be self reliant.
Dokubo explained that the Amnesty Programme was set up to train and empower youths in the Niger Delta, who are enlisted towards building human capital development for the maintenance of peace and security in the region.
He assured that the empowerment programme will be continuous to actualize the objectives for which the Amnesty Programme was establish.
He urged youths in the Niger Delta not to indulge in activities that would hinder the development in the region.
According to him, “This occasion is very significant for those of us in the Niger Delta. The Amnesty programme was set up to empower and to maintain security in the region.
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“Today’s empowerment programme is to empower and enhance trained beneficiaries of the Programme, so that they can go back home and setup themselves and do jobs that will benefit them.
“Niger Delta people like I have always said, are hardworking people and once they are given the roadmap, they will do whatever other people in Nigeria will do and even do it better.
“So today’s occasion is for me to give trained beneficiaries starter packs to start their lives, to open their shops and start their businesses immediately. Now that we have set them up, they will earn money, help their families and stabilize from war- torn to a stabilized living.” Dokubo said.
Also speaking, Ex-militant Leader and Amayanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, HRM Ateke Tom, commended Dokubo for his commitment to the success of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and assured him of his support.
Tom, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for empowering beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme in his kingdom, while charging the recipients to make judicious use of their starter packs.
“I have seen the difference in your leadership of the Amnesty Programme and I am going to work with you to achieve greater heights. I have heard how you have handled that office forthrightly, with commitment and transparency.
“I will support you fully and I pray that God will guide you to pilot the affairs of the Amnesty Programme successfully,” the Ex-warlord said
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