Ex-agitators Niger Delta agitators calls for scrapping of the Amnesty Programme and issue a 21 Day Ultimatum to Address the Underlying Problems in the region
They described as a sad development that the federal government has not yet shown willingness to tackle the underlying issues in the Niger Delta region for granting the Amnesty programme.
In a press statement Signed by Edward Kalamazoo popularly known as General Foreman said, copy made available to newsmen weekend said, it is important that to solve the problem of the region, the federal government needs to abandon the Presidential Amnesty programme and implement the recommendation by the government-appointed committee some years back in it’s place.
The Niger Delta states according to the press released should receive 25 per cent of the country’s oil revenue, as against the present 13 per cent.
“We want to know and see the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region according to the original master plan of the Presidential Amnesty programme which is the Peace Agreement that the government and Amnesty representatives have not been disclosed to the region.”
The group lamented that because of bad representatives, some people that were genuinely been captured in the amnesty programme from phase one at Obubra in Cross River State have not received any monthly stipend.
“It is our strong desire that, the delegates be screened and verified because most payroll for stipends are filled with corrupt manipulations. We further calls for the training and education of first, second and third phase that have not received any should be attended to without delay,” General Foreman demands.
The statement warned that, using non beneficiaries for the beneficiaries slots should be avoided, stressing that payment of housing and wardrobe allowances from 2011 to date be paid to genuine agitators immediately.
They further said that the objective of the amnesty programme hinges on three sides which includes, to maintain peace and security in the region; Enhance human capital development in the region and the amnesty programme is to provide the enabling environment for people in the region to key into the programme and achieve development.
Their agitation according to the release is for the federal government to implement the earlier agreement that was duly signed by late former president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua with the ex-agitators that led to their surrendering of arms in 2009.
They further averred that, these broad objectives have been frustrated by the key players hence pipelines vandalisation of crude oil could not be stopped, adding that the programme was structured to achieve these objectives even they don’t know the stage at which the programme is; either disarmament and mobilisation process, rehabilitations/Action Plan for the holistic development of the Niger Delta as a region.
“If these demands are not met before the end of September, we have no option but to do what we have in mind for government to implement the recommendations”, they warned.
The Arewa Consultative Forum( ACF) has hail the 50% reduction of school fees for indigent students by the incumbent Governor, of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf as exemplary and worthy to emulate by other governor’s.
Gov. Yusuf has recently cut down 50% reduction in the registration fee for the 2023/2024 academic session for all Kano State indigenes studying regular courses at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta and other state owned tertiary institutions accross the state to cushion the worsening economic situation people have been going through.
While reacting to the governor’s initiative, the Chairman of the forum, Dr. Goni Farouk Umar described the decision as both revolutionary and a hallmark of visionary leadership.
He noted with delight the Kano State government’s resolve to restore its foreign scholarship programme designed to sponsor 1001 best graduates which demonstrates the government compassion that resulted in the payment of N700million registration fees for 700 Kano State students at the Bayero University Kano.
The ACF leader noted that both the slashing of the fees in state owned institutions, and the off-setting of the BUK fees would go along way to ease the burden on parents and the students occasioned by the current economic hardship.
Dr Umar who describe education as power, and pivot in society’s advancement, prayed for the successful implementation of the government’s pro-poor education policies.
He also appealed to all sections of the community to support educational development in all facets.
President of Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Bola Tinubu will honour Zamfara pilgrim Hajiya A’ishatu ‘Yan Guru Nahuce who found $80,000 in Saudi Arabia during the last Hajj exercise and return the money to it’s rightful owner. Chairman Zamfara State Hajj Commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha has revealed.
Mallaha disclosed that the president is overwhelmed by the act of honesty exhibited by the female pilgrim hence he directed the National Hajj Commission to organize a national press conference to interview the woman for record keeping while in Saudi.
When the directives was given by the president according to Mallaha, the woman was already airlifted back to Nigeria adding that arrangements are in top gear to ensure the presidential directives is implemented as soon as possible.
Mr. Mallaha who revealed that president Tinubu expressed delight and pointed out that Hajiya Nahuce has brought respect and honour to her country Nigeria said the commission’s preparation towards the national press conference in Nigeria now will include the State governor, Dauda Lawan keying into the activities.
Mallaha further said that her honesty is a pride to all Muslims accross the globe.
The woman during the last excise stumbled into the money while performing Tawaff at the Ka’abah, she said that she kick the bag of the money to a distance for fear of been trample upon if she bow down to pick it up because of the large crowd. An Arab Pilgrim who saw her action pick the bag and gave it to her thinking that it was hers.
Mrs. Nahuce who was sponsored to Hajj by her son’s revealed that it was her first trip to the holy land.
She further revealed in an interview that, she took the money to the officials of her local government Hajj commission and handed it over. The officials met Saudi Authorities and within few days the owner was found and the money was returned to him.
She commented that she was not aware of the magnitude of her action until she was back home to Nigeria where she understands that the news went viral before her arrival
Nigerian Army neutralized seven Armed Bandits while several others flee with gunshots wounds in the late hours of Monday.
The bandits in large number according to reliable source attempted to infiltrate and attack the troops at Kango Sabuwa. The gallant troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Wanke were steps ahead of them.
This was achieved by the troops in an ambush operation along the route suspected to be used by the Bandits.
The troops Shortly after the encounter proceeds in pursuit of other fleeing wounded bandits, recovered 1 Machine Gun, ammunition and 6 Motorcycles from the armed bandits.
The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut commends the troops for their bravery and resilience in dealing with the Armed Bandits.