Amnesty: A Workable Project After All

Reports of initial challenges recorded by the Federal Government Amnesty programme almost dampened the hopes of many. Indeed, the repatriation of 11 ex-militants from Poland and the earlier returnees from Malaysia resulted in more or less a national disgrace. But the situation appears to be changing.

Last week, three ex-militants brought joy to the hearts of Niger Deltans and Nigeria as a whole when they made their individual maiden solo flights in South-Africa to qualify for certification as pilots. The attainment of this feat by these youths have gone on to prove that the Amnesty programme is not only workable, but also worthwhile.

As we join millions of other Nigerians to congratulate the gallant Nigerian youths for the success recorded, we are not un-mindful of the need for more efforts at making the Amnesty programme more result-oriented. Indeed, steps must be taken to eliminate situations that can compromise the good name and image of Nigeria.

While we hope that the Federal Government Committee on the Niger Delta would learn from the mistakes that created doubt in the minds of many people, over the ability of the average Niger Deltan to acquire world-class skills, the competence and disposition of every youth should be put into consideration in deciding the training need of each.

The fact must not be missed that the ex-militants are a mixed mass of youths from diverse backgrounds. Besides, the unbearable conditions in the Niger Delta over the years reduced quite a lot of them to sheer moral, academic and social wrecks before they found succour   in militancy. Hence, some kind of deliberate debriefing and consideration are imperative so as not to put some people in the wrong discipline.

Also fading out of consideration is the twin aspect of the Amnesty programme. It should not be taken for granted or forgotten that while the youths are being equipped with skills, major developmental projects should also have been put in place. The kind of developmental projects that could alter the level of suffering in the Niger Delta is still yet to be seen.

If the trend continues, the same situation can only elicit the same reaction in the people. Even those who may have gone to acquire knowledge in other countries where things work, would only be more aggrieved that their sacrifices failed to count. Sadly, the plight of the people seem to worsen and both the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) fail to help the Presidential Committee to turn things around in the region.

But we still see a ray of hope. We have faith in the Presidency and we believe that the recent success of the ex-militants in far away South Africa would be the needed impetus for greater hope in the youths of the Niger Delta. It indeed is a thing of pride that youths that were allowed to rot in the creeks of the Niger Delta can become useful and even contribute meaningfully to national development.

This, no doubt would speak to governments at all levels of what is possible for the average Nigerian youth. But more importantly, youths in the country should stop giving up on themselves over claims of neglect.

It is a shame that at a time youths everywhere in the world are taking charge of their destinies and getting ready to take over leadership with a view to turn things around for the better, some youths, even outside the Niger Delta have resorted to kidnapping and all sorts of criminality. Many have become ready tools in the hands of people that seek to cause social unrest in the land.

This is regrettable, condemnable and un-advisable. The Nigerian youth and especially those in the Niger delta must begin to see the possibility of their homes becoming the true image of their dreams. They must understand that what brings dreams to light include sacrifice, skills, determination, high moral and spiritual base as well as the ability to work peaceably with others.

For those who have been sent out to acquire skills, especially under the Amnesty programme, more is expected of them. They must be patriotic, appreciative and desirous to contribute to the wellness of Nigeria. They must see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria and present themselves as the best image of Nigeria that ever can be.

But it will all begin with the Amnesty committee that should go the extra mile and set up strict standards and acceptable criteria for the selection of participants in the foreign technical training programme. Indeed, national image should also be considered in the selection of candidates.

On the whole, we hope that all hands would be on deck to make the Amnesty programme worthwhile. Those who envy the programme should also envy the un-speakable under-development, environmental challenges and decades of socio-economic and political neglect of the Niger Delta by the Nigerian state. This opportunity to change that trend should be made to succeed.