Abuja—Prominent Niger Delta ex-agitator and leader, Francis Muturu, popularly known as General Aboy, has warned that ongoing attempts to distract retired Major General Barry Ndiomu, Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is dangerous to the development and existing peace in the oil-rich region.
Muturu who is a businessman and former aide to the Delta State Governor said this during a visit to Ndiomu in Abuja.
According to him, Ndiomu had shown the needed capacity to turn around the fortunes of the region.
The foremost security expert noted that the PAP helmsman should be celebrated for his courage to fight alleged corruption in the Amnesty Programme.
He stressed that Ndiomu deserved commendation for floating the new PAP cooperative scheme aimed at transforming ex-agitators from stipend dependants to entrepreneurs.
In his words: “Ndiomu has carried out far-reaching reforms in the PAP. He has also championed the economic emancipation of ex-agitators through his unique cooperative scheme, which is aimed at empowering the ex-agitators to become economically self-reliant, wealth creators and employers of labour”
“The PAP boss mustered the courage to fight corruption and to stand up against briefcase contractors. He deserves commendation. I am calling on self-seeking individuals in the region to stop distracting Ndiomu.”
Muturu pledged total support for Ndiomu saying that PAP contributed to his success in life and that he would not stand at akimbo and watch anybody kill the Programme, which he believes is better positioned now than ever before.
“PAP has made me what I am today. I no longer think about N65,000 monthly stipend. I now think big. I will never stand aloof and watch people destroy the scheme,” he said.
In his remarks, Ndiomu urged the people, especially other ex-agitators, to emulate Muturu.
He described the former warlord as one of the shining lights of the amnesty programme and restated his commitment to sustaining the peace in the region as well as empowerment of ex-agitators.
