By Deborah Coker

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Momoh has pledged to utilise the resources of the ministry transparently.

Momoh stated this on Tuesday when he hosted members of Edo Journalists’ Forum in Abuja.

He said that the present challenges of the government were quite enormous in view of scarce financial resources.

Momoh said that whatever the ministry gets would be managed as best as it could, so that people could see for themselves.

He admitted that the expectations of the Niger Delta people were high, but that they should exercise patience with the government because of the present economic situation and low resources.

“But at least we will manage transparently the resources that are available to us. That is what we stand for.

“If you want to go to equity, you must go with clean hands; we want to restrain ourselves from so many things that others are used to doing in the past.

”I don’t want my integrity and my authority to be eroded in any way,” he said.

The minister said that the ministry was open to all the people in the region.

He said that the ministry would collaborate and work with major stakeholders to ensure that some of the responsibilities and expectations for the region were met.

“I know the expectations are quite high, so we will ensure that those we cannot do directly, we get our colleagues and stakeholders to help us.

“We will also work with other ministries and agencies to ensure that other responsibilities they handle in the region will adequately be taken care of,” he said.

Momoh charged journalists to help in whatever way they could to positively project the ministry.

Earlier, the spokesperson for the Forum, Dr Leon Usigbe said the group was on the visit to congratulate the minister on his new appointment.

“We are also here to show solidarity and to let you know that we share in the dream to create a vibrant and a new Niger Delta.

“We believe that as the goose that lays the golden egg, the Niger Delta deserves more than it currently receives.

“And we are confident that with someone like you who is a change agent and who is passionate about development, this is the best time that this region can look up to,” he said.

He said that restiveness in the region was due to youth employment.

“We know that with your ability and you being at the helm of Niger Delta Affairs, things are going to be different,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Twenty Aircraft Maintenance Engineers have graduated from the Aviation Training Programme, organised by the the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The beneficiaries are part of the 75 Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers under the PAP Aviation Resuscitation Programme for ex-agitators from the Niger Delta.

Speaking on Monday in Lagos at the graduation of the trainees, Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, the Interim Administrator, PAP, stated that the initiatives deployed by the PAP were designed to improve the lives of young people.

He said the training was critical to the supply of manpower globally in strategic industries and trade sectors.

Ndiomu was represented by Wilfred Musa, PAP’s Head of Reintegration.

He recalled that his administration decided to throw its weight behind the Aviation Resuscitation Programme, given the enormous opportunities that abound in the aviation industry and its relevance in building human capacity.

Ndiomu said that the programme had a global relevance.

“By the time you all get jobs within the aviation industry, whether locally or internationally, you will earn a decent living and access robust knowledge.

“This will also enable you to become a part of a global network which will in turn empower you to add value to your families, communities, and ultimately to Niger Delta,” he said.

He said that aviation training might be very expensive but there was no amount that was too much to invest in the capacity development of a Niger Deltan.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leadstream Aviation Training Limited, Roland Ahmed, commended the Presidential Amnesty Office for not giving up on the Aviation delegates.

He added that the PAP, by reason of this investment, had become a strategic supplier of critical manpower to the fastest growing global industry.

Ahmed said that the successful 20 aircraft maintenance engineers would now proceed on a 12-month on-the-job-training (OJT) after which they would be licensed and type rated.

“The OJT experience has been fully funded by the PAP,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has charged the youth the Niger Delta Region to set the stage for success by rising above the ‘entitlement mentality’.

The Interim Administrator of the PAP, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, said this in a statement by Mr Musa Wilfred, Head of Reintegration, on Monday in Abuja.

Ndiomu said that if the youth in the Niger Delta Region could rise above the “entitlement mentality”, the sky would be too small to be their starting point.

He urged the youth of the region to begin to think out of the box and come up with innovative ideas.

According to him, if the youth in the Niger Delta Region can rise above entitlement mentality, the sky will be too small to be their starting point.

“Everybody stands a chance, so the youth of the region must begin to think out of the box and come up with innovative ideas.

He noted that the recent Niger Delta 3rd MSME Summit in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, was an avenue to sensitise the youths of the region.

“We have decided to begin to reason outside the box. We must understand the times and take proper advantage as well as map out opportunities for success.

“The war between Russia and Ukraine has exposed the harsh realities surrounding grains globally.

“Currently, there is scarcity of grains and starch globally; and we have cassava plantations all over the region.

“Very soon, brewery companies in Nigeria will start looking for starch. This global shift affects everybody, and we must begin to take advantage of the current situation,” he said.

Ndiomu reiterated that the mandate of the PAP was to manage the destiny of thousands youths, adding that in view of this, the youth must be reminded that there was virtue in adversity and resilience, as nothing comes cheaply.

“We must be in a place, where we are able to adequately predict the future. We must innovate, we must remind ourselves that there is virtue in adversity and resilience, and nothing good comes cheaply.

“There is a notion about the region out there, and we must all agree jointly to alter that narrative.

“As young business owners, you must understand that beyond innovation, collaboration, networking, access to funds, loans and grants, lobbying, you have a role to play,” he said.

He admonished the youth of the region to embrace discipline and mentoring, as there was a price to pay for every height to be attained.

“There is a price to pay for every height you want to attain, so as young leaders you must be ready and willing to pay the price.

“You must also keep calm heads, as skills without character are useless, so you must be worthy in skill and character,” he said (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Niger Delta Integrity Group (NDIG) has alerted the Federal Government of some unqualified individuals trying secure jobs at the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) at all costs.

The Convener of the group, Dr Boma Horsfall said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

‘’These individuals are responsible for spreading falsehood against the leadership of the programme.

“The allegations of massive fraud in the PAP as reported by some sections of the media; are unsubstantiated and are inconsiderately geared toward bringing the image of the Interim Administrator to disrepute.

“There is a criminal conspiracy of PAP beneficiaries who were delisted because of stipends payment Bank Verification Number (BVN) fraud, to blackmail the Interim Administrator, Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu with falsehoods.

“A misleading allegation and urging anti-graft agencies to investigate the PAP over alleged fraud is a mischievous attempt to smear the leadership and management of the programme,’’ he said.

He added: “Also, the unfounded allegation that some members of staff in the office are receiving huge amounts for welfare running into millions of naira monthly is a fictitious imagination.’’

He appealed to the federal government to engage the service of credible multinational service networks to conduct examination for people seeking for the PAP job.

Horsfall said that if done, the government would be shocked to see that such persons would run back into their holes, adding that they lack the intellectual capacity to head such a sensitive office.

‘’It is shameful that our country has found itself in such a situation that miscreants and illiterates will be aspiring for sensitive public service jobs.

“The pedigree and capacity of Ndiomu, a seasoned retired General, is scarce in the region.

“Hence, the need for positive minded people to rally round him and give him the much needed support to reposition the PAP and bring the needed growth to our youths.

“As a group, the NDIG wishes to reiterate that it is the trademark culture and tradition of our people to blackmail each other for selfish reasons and gains,’’ he said.

He added: “The NDIG urges relevant security agencies to go after those spreading falsehood and inciting the public negatively.

“We also urge the Interim Administrator to not be deterred in his noble quest to change the negative narrative of the Amnesty Programme for the benefit of the entire Niger Delta.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

CMY/GOM/ABI

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam

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