By Ayodele Oni
The Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) has reiterated that the era of violence and arms struggle in the Niger Delta region has finally gone.
According to him, what is being experienced in the region now are new ideas in intellectual space, driven by science and technology to advance speedy development and growth of the people.
In his charge to 200 delegates of PAP, who were graduated from training facility of Bradama International Skill Works at Agadagba-Obon, Ondo State, on Saturday, Dikio noted that the success story of PAP has affirmed that with the right orientation and skill, youths from the region have risen to the technological challenge of the 21st century as better alternative to arms struggle.
The graduating 200 trainees had completed six months intensive classroom and workshop sessions in Welding/Fabricating, Abrasive Blasting, Mechanical Fittings, Industrial Painting and Scaffolding/Rigging under the 2019/2020 PAP Delegates Training Programme.
“We’re here to celebrate what is possible in the Niger Delta region and beyond by reorientation and rededication of our core values as a people towards seeking better living conditions for everyone.
“I am going to charge you (graduands) to leave here with the spirit of excellence which the CEO of Bradama, Chief Bibopere Ajube has demonstrated as a leader of ex- agitators in the region.
“As ex-agitators, you don’t need to look any further for mentorship, Chief Ajube has competed with the best in the world and continued to stand out among his peers. He is indeed, the new face of technology advancement in emancipation struggle of Niger Delta.
“This is not an ordinary graduation ceremony, and so, we owe the 6th graduates of Bradama Intl and the first under my watch, in high esteem. We hope and pray you will be the difference makers as you go into the world.
“I charge you that as you leave this place, you will meet challenges but as the saying that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going, assuring you that the sky should not be your limit but your starting point.
In his response, the MD/CEO of Bradama international Skill Works, Chief Bibopere Ajube thanked the Federal Government under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari for the financial and administrative support for the Amnesty Programme.
The Arogbo-Ibe high chief however urged the graduands to put the practical training and certificate obtained to seek gainful employment to better their lives and that of their family members, as a way to justify the huge investment the federal government expended on them during the course of the training programme.
“Please, don’t waste the skill you acquired at Bradama Intl. Put it to productive use and change your lives for good.
“I thank you for your cooperation and peaceful composure during your stay here in Bradama and I wish you goodluck in your future endeavours.”
Ajube however, noted that the Niger Delta region needed peace now than before to enable it compete favourably in Project Nigeria and advance its people in developmental strides through innovations, science and technology.
