N’Delta Ex-agitators Apologise to Boroh over False Accusation

• 82 Amnesty beneficiaries certified as pilots, aircraft engineers

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

No fewer than 261 ex-agitators, who are beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have tendered a public apology to the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of PAP, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), over a petition they sent to the presidency falsely accusing his office of impropriety.

In a statement yesterday, Boroh said he had accepted the public apology by 261 delegates of the programme from the John Togo Camp.

The public apology was tendered by the group’s Chairman. Mr. Peter Atima and Secretary, Commander Ebitimi, who had jointly signed the August 8, 2016 petition against the Presidential Amnesty Office.

In their letter of apology, the group stated in part: “It was during the process of settlement/reconciliation, the truth about what led to the temporary suspension of our monthly allowances became known to us. We therefore, apologise particularly to your person and your office.”

Boroh, who condemned attacks on the programme, said misinformation can cause disaffection in society and advised against playing politics with the collective interest of the country.
He said the Amnesty Programme was doing well and is focused on its mandate of fully reintegrating all the 30,000 persons captured by the programme.

The programme, he stated, has been fair to all, including impacted communities whose youth have been given over 3,000 scholarships to study locally and internationally, adding that it is meeting its mandate and is winding down.

Stating that there was no plan for new intakes, he urged those carrying campaigns against the programme and its officers to desist, and instead channel their energy on how they can contribute to make it a success.

Doing so, he noted, would translate to the success and stability of the Niger Delta even as he advised the people in the region, particularly unemployed youths to turn to agriculture as the government is willing to assist those who want to do so.

Meanwhile, 82 beneficiaries of the programme have completed their various training and are certified as pilots and aircraft engineers.