Yenagoa—Ijaw youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for reappointing Colonel Milland Dixon Dikio as interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
IYC through its spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, stated that Dikio would have been given a substantive appointment rather than an interim apportionment.
Ekerefe, however, stated that Dikio’s reappointment has ended weeks of speculations about the future of the amnesty programme.
According to Ekerefe, the IYC was aware of the plans by enemies of the Niger Delta to scuttle the return of Dikio.
He thanked President Buhari for not bowing to the pressure but rather listened to the voices of stakeholders in the region.
The IYC spokesman averred that in the last one year, Dikio has given the amnesty programme a breath of fresh air by instituting major reforms that changed the hitherto negative perception about the PAP.
His words, “The re-appointment of Col. Milland Dikio (rtd) is one of the best things at the moment to happen to us as Ijaw people and people of the Niger Delta.
“So, we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for not betraying us in this regard. This is because we were aware of plans to replace Dikio, which would have derailed the amnesty programme.
“It is only those who are truly blind or claim to be blind that will pretend not to see the good works Dikio has done in the last one year.
“If for anything, the regular payment of the stipends for ex-agitators and the constant regional engagements with leaders and stakeholders.
“But as we thank the president, we also want to state that as a council, we feel that making Dikio substantive administrator would have been better for everyone.
“This is because the title of interim to our own understanding has limited powers.”
He charged Dikio to use his reappointment to put modalities on ground to help drive his vision for sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.
Ekerefe also appealed to Dikio to put the various training centres in good shape so that beneficiaries of the programme can have the opportunity to be equipped with the right skills to improve their lives.
While pledging IYC’s support, Ekerefe urged Dikio to partner with the council for the peace, stability and development of the region.
The statement also restated calls for the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in a bid to sustain the existing peace.
