Ex-Agitators ‘ll Drive N’Delta Agribusiness -Boroh

With the future of crude oil largely uncertain as a result of the expanding influence of solar technology in the world, the Presidential Amnesty Office has initiated a strategic plan to engage Niger Delta youth in agriculture as alternative economic opportunity to oil and gas in the region.
Consequently, the Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (rtd) has concluded modalities to turn the environmentally-despoiled oil region into the hub of agribusiness in the country with repentant militants as pioneers of the dream.
Speaking at a sensitisation ceremony for some ex-agitators currently undergoing a refresher course on poultry farming at Kpite, in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, Boroh said that the programme was focusing more on agriculture because of the urgent need to diversify the economy, and pull attention off the over-saturated oil and gas sector.
Represented by a senior official of the Post-Training and Engagement Unit of the Amnesty Office, Ogbodu Eghe, Boroh maintained that the agro-allied skills empowerment projects were geared towards preparing the repentant militants to be actively involved in the industrialisation process of the region, with a view to achieving sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
According to Boroh, “At the end of this refresher course, the beneficiaries would be assisted to establish their own farms, under the close supervision of the Amnesty Office, to enable them to achieve set objectives.
“This sensitisation scheme is intended to make you embrace poultry farming as a big-time agro-allied business that will offer you all a more enduring lifeline after your fields of study in our programme’’.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Kalobiv Investments Limited, Dr Kalada Dick Iruenabere, commended Boroh for initiating the scheme for the previously trained ex-militants.
Also speaking, Chairman of Buafa Agro-resources, Famaa Bariledum, explained that the beneficiaries were also being taught financial management and entrepreneurship to enable them to run their own poultry farms.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Harvest Onyemechi Azunda, thanked the Amnesty Office for giving them the opportunity to be part of the refresher course, and pleaded for empowerment to enable them start their own agri-businesses.
Meanwhile, 140 beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme have graduated from some UK top universities with first degrees in various fields.
A statement by the Presidential Amnesty Office, last Saturday, indicated that six of them clinched first class while 24 bagged second class upper.
The statement, further congratulated the ex-agitators for their feats, and assured that the Federal Government would remain committed to reintegration and resettlement of all repentant militants, who keyed into the Amnesty Programme.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana