The Director of Research at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, Professor  Habu Galadima, has urged the federal government to see  the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for ex-agitators in  the Niger Delta region as a continuum.

Galadima stated that transformation could be deepened to enhance the reintegration process of the ex-agitators, warning that neglecting demobilised ex-agitators could lead to social unrest and national insecurity. 

Speaking at a four-day capacity-building training for executive and senior management of the Amnesty Programme with the theme: ‘Change and Organisational Renewal: Strategic Leadership and Employee Performance Development Programme’, Galadima, who is also the Chief Operating Officer of the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre of NIPSS, lauded the achievements of the programme under Prof. Charles Dokubo’s watch, but urged the federal government to see the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme as a continuum. 

“Transformation can be deepened to enhance the reintegration process of Niger Delta ex-agitators; neglecting demobilised ex-agitators might breach security, and the Amnesty Programme must be seen as a continuum,” Galadima stated.

In a statement, the media aide to Dokubo, Murphy Ganagana, quoted Galadima as expressing dismay that the human security factors that triggered the armed struggle by ex-agitators are yet to be addressed in the region.

In his keynote address on ‘Transforming Regional Insecurity through Sustainable Social Integration Programme for ex-agitators in the Niger Delta’, Galadoma pointed out that no amount of funds was too much for the programme to maintain peace and security in the hitherto restive region, adding that “without security in the Niger Delta, there cannot be security in Nigeria.”

He commended Dokubo for providing the needed strategic leadership towards actualising the objectives of the programme.

In his opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of Amnesty Programme, Prof. Dokubo, expressed President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to ensure that the narrative of the Niger Delta is turned around.

He said the programme was set up basically for the maintenance of peace and security as well as development of the Niger Delta region.

Share your story with us: 08030891146 (Whatsapp and SMS only) Email: info@gbaramatuvoicenews.press or gbaramatuvoice@gmail.com. You can also download GbaramatuVoice news app from Google playstore.