Fund Amnesty Programme, ex-police chief urge FG

A former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) commissioner of police (retd), Lawrence Alobi, has urged the Federal Government to sustain and adequately fund the Presidential Amnesty Programme to maintain the prevailing peace and security in the Niger Delta.

He described the programme as a catalyst for development of the hitherto restive region.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Alobi, renowned security analyst and Managing Director, High-tech Security Limited, said this was necessary in view of the attendant effects of insecurity in the Niger Delta on the nation’s economy.

“Amnesty Programme should be sustained and properly funded so that more Niger Delta youth can be trained and empowered to sustain peace, security and development of the region.

The Amnesty Programme shouldn’t have a timeline. It should be sustained for us to enjoy peace and security in the Niger Delta. Peace and security is ultimate; no nation, no community can develop without peace and security.

“That is why Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic emphasizes the importance of security; it says the security and welfare of citizens shall be the priority of government. There is a nexus between peace, security and development.

“When there is peace and security, development will be achieved. When there is no peace and security, development cannot be achieved. So, the sustenance of Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme will promote development. The government should sustain it because whatever is good should be sustained”.

Alobi, who is also a legal practitioner, noted the gains of Amnesty Programme under the incumbent coordinator and Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Prof. Charles Dokubo, whose pragmatic leadership, he said, has led to the breaking of new grounds in training and empowerment of Niger Delta youths.

A statement issued by Special Assistant (Media) to Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator, Amnesty Programme, Murphy Ganagana said he described Dokubo as an outstanding leader with outstanding qualities and robust intellectual capacity, who has taken the Amnesty Programme to greater heights through a display of integrity, transparency, probity and efficiency.

“Professor Charles is a leader who believes in human capital development. He is a leader who believes in team spirit; a leader who believes in empowering the youth; a leader who is focused; a leader who knows the main purpose of why Amnesty Programme was established,” he said.

Alobi advocated the inclusion of more Niger Delta youth in the Amnesty Programme, noting that when the youth are trained and empowered, they will add value not only to their lives, but also to the development of communities in the region, and the economy of the nation.