A group in the Niger Delta region known as Network of Ex-Niger Delta Agitators (NENDA) has put the percentage of ex-militants transformed by the Federal Government Amnesty Programme under the watch of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku at eighty. The spokesman of the group, Comrade Williams Tubor stated this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt recently.
The group through its spokesman noted that the Amnesty programme has not only trained ex-militants in the region, but has secured job placements for a good number of them. He described the Amnesty Programme as one of the best things that ever happened to the people of the region.
Mr. Tubor berated critics of Hon. Kuku, describing him as ‘God sent’ to the region. His words, “we see Kuku as a Messiah and we thank Mr. President for his choice”
He regretted that some Niger Deltans resort to unnecessary criticism and even ca1led on the sack of Hon. Kuku as Special Adviser, stressing that they are self-seeking individuals who do not mean well for the region.
The NENDA spokesman lambasted one Mr. Victor Ben a.k.a. Boyloff and Mr. Soboma Jackrich a.k.a. Egberipapa whom he described as “Desperados”. He said the duo were never genuine agitators in the Niger Delta struggle, adding that they do not have followership and should not be taken seriously.
It would be recalled that recently, some persons under the aegis of ex-Niger Delta Militants called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Chairman Presidential Amnesty Committee for Niger Delta, Hon. Kuku alleging misappropriation of funds, self-enrichment and abuse of office.
The NENDA Spokesman who dismissed the allegations against Hon. Kuku further said he (Hon. Kuku) is truly committed to delivering on his mandate and responsibilities in the region being a cofounder of the Niger Delta struggle. Mr. Tubor challenged the critics to fault the statistics of Niger Deltans that have so far benefited from the Amnesty Programme. He also extolled the virtues of an ex-militant leader, Chief Ateke Tom for his empowerment programmes and helping the less privileged in the region.
According to him, the critics rather than calling for the head of Hon. Kuku, should compliment the efforts of the Federal Government as exemplified by Chief Tom whom he equally described as a defender of the Niger Delta people and a father.
“Egberipapa is currently fighting the Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State where he hails from leaving several innocent people dead and injured because he wants to share the allocations due to the council. He should not make people go back to the past days”, the NENDA spokesman said.
Mr. Tubor who warned detractors of Hon. Kuku to desist, called on the Presidency and well-meaning Niger Deltans to ignore the calls for the sack of Hon. Kuku whom he said is a veritable tool for the future development of the region. He advised all, especially Egberipapa and his cohorts to seek other meaningful ways of engaging themselves and seeking redress. ###
