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Ex-agitators urge Nigerians to support President Buhari’s amnesty blueprint review

Amnesty
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Oct. 1, 2018 (NAN) The Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, phase 2, has urged the youths of Niger Delta, especially the ex-agitators, to support the planned review of the blueprint of the Amnesty Programme by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the coalition, quoted its leader Stephen Ebisintei, as saying that the review is the only way the programme can be all encompassing.

Ebisintei said the planned review of programme is sacrosanct to the peace and security of Niger Delta, saying “it is also in the best interest of the youths as well as critical stakeholders.

“More importantly, it will increase choices for targeted beneficiaries of the programme and indeed the youths of Niger Delta.

“We have to reciprocate the kind gesture of Mr President by supporting him in 2019 so as to enable him see through his lofty and robust plans for the region in the next four years,” the statement quoted Ebisintei as saying.

He cautioned the people of the region to beware of those he called “fair weather politicians,” who he said are deceitfully promising the people of the region heaven on earth ahead of the 2019 elections.

Ebisintei pointed out that supporting the Buhari’s re-election bid remains the best option for Niger Delta as far the amnesty programme is concerned.

According to him, as the race for 2019 hots up, youths and critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta should beware of politicians whose stock in trade is promises without any intention of fulfillment.

“We should as a people be more circumspect and use the 2019 election to take our destinies in our own hands; it is in our considered best interest to queue behind the president and work for his re-election bid.

“If we fail in this, we may not have this rare opportunity again to lunch our beleaguered region on the desired path of sustainable growth and peace as we are witnessing now.

“In the past, all we have received were promises, but we can see and testify that with the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, our region has greater opportunities and is well placed to roll back the injustices of the past.

“We have seen that he has not denied the region what is due to it in terms of appointment into key positions of government, especially with the appointments of Prof. Quaker Dokubo and Dr. Ibe Kachukwu as the head of the Amnesty Office and Minister (State) for Petroleum respectively.

“It is without doubt that these individuals are fits in their respective offices and are working assiduously to empower youths and of course ensure development of critical infrastructure in the region.

Ebisintei also said that Buhari is the only Nigeria’s President who has allowed his appointees the freedom to do their work without interference, a quality that Nigerians have desired for so long. (NAN)
EMAF/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Health

NGO urges FG to investigate alleged violation against women by Amnesty Intl

NGO urges FG to investigate alleged violation against women by Amnesty Intl
By Mustapha Sumaila
Allegations
Abuja, May 24, 2018 (NAN) The Plan International, a development partner in Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to investigate allegations of gross violations against women by the Nigerian security forces in the North East affected by insurgency.
Mr Hussaini Abdu, the Country Director, Plan International Nigeria, gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that promotes children’s rights and equality for girls with its headquarters in Canada.
The 2017/2018 Amnesty International reports on Nigeria had alleged that the Nigerian military arbitrarily arrested and held thousands of young men, women and children in detention centres around the country.
However, the report was denied by the federal government and described it as lacking credibility and failing short of evidential narration.
Abdu explained that Amnesty International report raised a serious alarm and must not be swept under the carpet.
“The allegations of gross violations by the Nigerian security forces must be thoroughly investigated by the government and perpetrators must be brought to justice.
“Girls and women fleeing Boko Haram insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria have experienced some of the worst atrocities and extreme forms of physical and sexual violence, including rape.
“There are consistent reports that these violations have been perpetrated not just by insurgents but also other actors, including government officials,” he said.
He stated that this was totally unacceptable and must be addressed as an urgent priority.
The country director urged the federal government to put necessary mechanisms in place for survivors to report incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse, and have access to justice.
“It is also critical that training and oversight of troops emphasise that sexual exploitation and sexual violence are unlawful and violate the rights of women and girls.
“Plan International has been strongly advocating for systematic protection of displaced adolescent girls who are particularly vulnerable due to their age and gender and this includes preventing and responding to sexual and gender based violence.
“Survivors of sexual violence must be able to access the full range of psychosocial support services, including essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, case management and referral services,” he added.
He said that Plan International Nigeria did not have active presence in camps hosting displaced populations but work largely in communities hosting internally displaced persons.
According to him, his organisation has no presence in the “satellite camps” mentioned in the Amnesty International report. (NAN)
MS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

Water resources, Niger Delta ministries partner on managing youth restiveness

NAN-AE-8
Youth
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Oct. 6, 2017 (NAN) The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs says it is partnering with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources on aquaculture and fishery development to reduce youth restiveness in the Niger Delta area.

 

Retired Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, said this on Friday when visited the water resources ministry in Abuja.

 

He said that the project would enable youths of the area to channel their energies to productive ventures.

 

Boroh said that the plan was in line with the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s to diversify the national economy via agriculture.

 

He said that his visit was to collaborate with the Ministry on how to access its massive rice farmlands and how to involve Niger Delta youths, as part of efforts to tackle youth restiveness in the area.

 

Boroh said: “We are interested in partnering with the ministry in this area of agriculture; we also want to partner with the ministry on how to transform the lives of our youths.

 

“I think this will douse the tension in the Niger Delta.’’

 

He also said that the amnesty programme was using professionals to engage ex-militants in skills acquisition programmes.

 

Responding, Dr Ibrahim Musa, the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Water Resources, pledged the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with Niger Delta ministry in efforts to address the menace of youth restiveness in the region.

 

“We are ready to partner with you in any way possible, so that together, we will work for the common goal of our people,” he said.
Musa thanked Boroh for the visit and thereafter presented the maiden edition of the ministry’s Water Magazine to him. (NAN)
TAK/KOO/OOK
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Dayo Komolafe