Presidential Amnesty Charges Niger Delta Youths to Rise above Entitlement Mentality

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has charged youths in the Niger Delta region to rise above the entitlement mentality and set the stage for success.

The Interim Administrator of PAP, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), gave the charge while speaking last Saturday at the third Niger Delta MSME Summit held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

He said the sky would be the starting point for the youths if they rise above entitlement mentality, calling on them to begin to think out of the box, and come up with innovative ideas.

Ndiomu, who was represented by the programme’s Head of Reintegration, Musa Wilfred, also noted that the war between Russia and Ukraine has exposed the harsh realities surrounding grains globally.

“There is scarcity of grains and starch globally now, and we have cassava plantations all over the region,” he said, noting that very soon, breweries in Nigeria will start looking for starch, and “this global shift affects everybody.”

He charged the youths to heighten the awareness, and take advantage of the current situation, saying the PAP has resolved to begin to reason outside the box, as its mandate is to manage the destiny of thousands of youths in the region.

According to him, “We must understand the times and take advantage of them properly. We must map out opportunities. We must be in a place where we are able to adequately predict the future. We must innovate and remind our delegates that there is virtue in diversity and resilience. Good things don’t come cheap.

“There is a notion about the region out there, and we must all agree jointly to alter that narrative.

“As young business owners, you must understand that beyond innovation, collaboration, networking, access to funds, loans and grants, and lobbying, you have a role to play. You must embrace discipline and mentoring. You must understand that good things don’t come easily. You must understand that for every height you want to attain, there is a price to pay. Young leaders must be ready and willing to pay the price.”