Leaders of Niger Delta Ex-agitators have lauded the efforts of President Bola Tinubu for the ongoing reforms in the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP) being implemented through the interim administrator, Retired Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu.

Speaking in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, The Interim Administrator of the Program, Rtd Major Ndiomu who was represented by the Agency Liaison Office, Major Marshall Akpor, explained that so far, some of the achievements of the programme include the Presidential Cooperative Society Limited (PACOSO).

According to him, the PACOSO has helped to give alternative livelihoods to ex-agitators, where they could collect loans from the scheme, and open businesses of their own choice, thereby not depending on the budgeted monthly N65,000 stipend from the Federal Government.

“The programme has also trained some aircraft engineers and cadet pilots. Some of them were trained in France, some in South Africa, and some in Nigeria. A portal has also been opened, so that the participants can apply for scholarships to ensure that real delegates are the ones that benefit from the programme. The delegates are enthusiastic about the programme and want peace in the region,” he said.

The Presidential Amnesty Cooperative Society Limited is aimed at giving an alternative livelihood to the ex-agitators. The platform was created for scholarships aimed at ensuring that only real delegates benefit from the scheme. The programme has so far empowered over 30,000 beneficiaries with useful skills which will not be useful to only them, but also to the nation.

Beneficiaries of the PAP phase two and ex-agitators leaders forum noted that the Program has made a lot of progress, and should be improved upon and sustained.

The Head of the Reintegration program of PAP, Wilfred Musa, disclosed that under the PAP scholarship scheme, over 10,000 have benefited since its inception, and there is a monitoring and follow-up initiative on beneficiaries.

“So far a good number have graduated and have taken jobs in different places,” he said.

Head of the Reintegration program of PAP, Wilfred Musa hoped that only real delegates benefit from the Presidential Amnesty Cooperative Society Limited which is aimed at giving an alternative livelihood to the Ex agitators and also the platform created for scholarships.

President of the General of the Niger Delta Struggle, Aso Tambo, said he wanted the cooperatives to touch the lives of ex-agitators in the programme.

He added that ex-agitators should be given both educational and vocational training to enable them to sustain their livelihoods after the programme.

On his part, the Head of Integration of the PAP, Wilfred Musa, admonished the beneficiaries to make the most of the initiative, by developing the right posture and attitude, and be able to avail themselves of the full benefits, and emerge champions in their various endeavours.

“We have a monitoring group to monitor them after the training to guarantee them jobs, and coaching. A good number of them are already taking up jobs and diversifying into other areas which they are good at,” he added.