Yenagoa—A group, the Niger Delta Ex-agitators Forum (NDEF), has hailed the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the leadership of Interim Administrator (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).
The Bayelsa State Chairman of the group, Gen. Godgift Ayabowei, while speaking with newsmen after an enlarged meeting in Yenagoa, said the ex-militant leaders agreed after an appraisal of the programme that the Amnesty office has taken a notch up in discharging its function.
He noted that PAP under the Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) has performed well.
He added that in the areas of prompt payment of stipends, stoppage of incessant protests by beneficiaries, the introduction of entrepreneurial training and empowerment initiatives, and regular interaction with ex-agitators are all aspects that have been improved upon by the PAP helmsman.
The group, however, argued that despite the impressive performance, the area of reintegration remains a challenge, noting that the core mandate of the programme is to reintegrate all the beneficiaries into the society to contribute to the development of the Niger Delta region.
NDEF, which is comprised of leaders of the first phase of Ex-agitators across the nine Niger Delta states, called on the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to hasten the integration process of beneficiaries. 
Also speaking, Awe Akuke, the Delta state chairman for the group said they have the blessings of King Ateke Tom, Government Tompolo, Hon Faragha Dagogo, Bibopere Ajube also known as Shoot at sight and all the former MEND leaders and have equally endorsed His Royal Highness, King Selky Kile Torughedi, also known as Young Shall Grow as their National Chairman.
Others present during the meeting were: Gen JJ of Rivers state, Gen. Prince James, Akwa-Ibom, Gen. Agjah Appearance, Edo State, High Chief Omoh Tonweregha, Ondo state, and Gen.Andrew Chidi, Imo State.
