The ongoing implementation of the Post-Amnesty Programme by the Federal Government, which took off in June, 2010, despite knocks from critics, appears to be sailing along uninterruptedly. Though, there were doubts in some quarters on the viability of the programme packaged to address militancy and youths restiveness in the hitherto troubled Niger Delta region, unfolding positive developments in the nations oil outputs as a result of the response of the ex-fighters to the amnesty sermon have brought to the fore the positive impacts of the Post-Amnesty initiative.Before the amnesty, declared by the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua, oil productioncapacity of Nigeria dropped to less than a million barrel per day, precisely to a little above 700 barrels per day, courtesy of the activities of the militants, who often disrupted oil exploration and exploitation businesses in the Niger Delta, through the bombing of oil installation facilities, attacks on oil barges as well as the kidnapping of expatriates.With the commencement of the rehabilitation programme for the repentant militants, at Obubra, in Cross River State, the ship of a new dawn of peace berthed, thereby creating a healthy business atmosphere in the oil bearing communities. It is instructive to note that the nations output today, stands at 2.6 million barrels per day.After the end of year 2010 break, activities picked up again at the Obubra training camp, as the 12th Batch of the ex-militants, consisting of 1,200 trainees last week, completed their re-orientation and rehabilitation exercise. The seeming lull in the camp between the end of last year and early 2011 has given way to full training in non-violence and transformation programme, with the camp management and officials taking their positions to ensure the sustenance of the success recorded in 2010.The lull was not, however, unconnected with the change of guard at the Presidential Amnesty Office. It will be recalled that the former Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta Affairs, Mr Timi Alaibe, who was overseeing the Amnesty Programme, under the Presidency, last year resigned his appointment to pursue gubernatorial ambition in Bayelsa state. This development, subsequently led to the recent appointment of Mr. Kingsley Kuku by President Goodluck Jonathan as a successor to Alaibe, to avoid a period of interregnum, regarding the smooth running of the exercise.The passing out parade of the Batch 12 trainees last week Wednesday was unique because it was the first time the new helmsman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme will address the ex-militants at the training camp. Besides, 600 trainees out of the 1,200 came in through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while the remaining 600 were from Rivers state.Addressing the ex-militants, Kuku rekindled their hope of new life, saying that their successful completion of the non-violence training and rehabilitation exercise has marked the beginning of a new phase in their future endeavour. He maintained that the Amnesty Programme was the impetus for peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.While reiterating the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to peace and security in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large, he tasked the trainees to exhibit high level of discipline and decorum so that the people can see the true manifestation of the training they have undergone in the camp.You must be seen as a changed people, who must be able to change others in their communities and I know that you can do it. Those who want education and vocational training among you would be fixed wherever they want. We would try our best to make sure everyone is well taken care of. Dont allow anyone to influence your decision. Look at yourself and choose what you want to do Kuku remarked.Continuing, he asserted, It is not every one of you that can read and write. Some cannot, but they are brains and that was how they managed their militant camps, guns, themselves and survived until today. It is not all about education, but more about your brain. We appreciate everybody. I told you I am one of you. There was a time I was walking the streets of Port Harcourt to protest injustice.Today, it pleases God to pick from among you, someone to manage this process.In an interactive session with newsmen, shortly after the passing out parade of the Batch 12, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs said the federal government was redoubling its efforts to consolidate on the gains of the Post Amnesty programmes through effective management and adequate funding of the exercise, with a view to guaranteeing more success.Said Kuku, Every situation has to improve and this is the first batch I have done under my leadership. We have seen a few lapses. We are going to improve on them and see to it that we do everything possible to make it smoother. So far so good, I have thanked the camp management for making this programme a success. Similarly, the military, police and other agencies deserve to be commended for maintaining peace, law and order in this camp.Barrister Allen Onyema, whose organisation, the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), is responsible for the training and rehabilitation of the ex-militants, observed that the enviable success of the programme has proved critics wrong in so many aspects.According to him, The Amnesty programme is still a huge success. We are proud of this particular group. They are the ones that initiated the entire amnesty process. This is because they are the first set of people pulled from the creeks in 2008 before the amnesty. It was the transformation that the government saw in them that made them realise that these militants can be transformed. I can say that they are the fore-runners. They have tried.Some of the ex-militants, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, lauded the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for its resolve in finding a lasting solution to the problems of the Niger Delta by charting a new life for the youths, who formed the nucleus of militancy in the region.Ajoku Chukwu, an ex-militant from Ikwerre, Rivers state stated that I was in Alo Camp, under Igbo Anino. This place has affected my life in many ways. Before, it was difficult for me to take my bath three or two times in a week. But now, I am doing it on daily basis. FEHN has taught us non-violence.Another trainee, Onenge Arkosima said In the Niger Delta, we believe that we are on the brink of a generational change. God wants to change Nigeria and Africa and he is starting from Niger Delta.Now, we and our brothers, who were carrying guns have dropped our guns and accepted a new way of demanding for our rights through non-violence. As we go back to our communities, our people are going to see new creatures.
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