Yar'Adua Approves N6.5 Billion for Ex-Militants

Abuja — Federal government has approved N6.5 billion as a stipend to ex-militants who have embraced the amnesty granted to them by President Umaru Yar'Adua.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, who made this known yesterday at a breakfast meeting with members of the diplomatic corps, said each ex-militant would receive N65, 000 monthly, for general upkeep.

He said more than 8,000 militants have signed for the state handouts even as he insisted it was not a "cash-for-arms programme." He described it as a pragmatic incentive for sustenance of those who voluntarily dropped their arms for the presidential amnesty.

He said the challenge of the Niger Delta crisis had been a critical area of engagement in the country's foreign relations, adding that the oil and gas located in the region were not only vital to Nigeria's economy but of equally strategic interest to the international community.

Chief Maduekwe addressed the envoys alongside the Ministries of Defence, Niger Delta, and Information and Communications, Major General Godwin Abbe, Chief Ufot Ekaette and Professor Dora Akunyili, respectively

The minister also revealed that the militants are now under-going a process of biometric documentation while the Ministry of Justice is working on the document to gazette it as a way of giving legal backing to the amnesty programme.

He praised President Yar'Adua for granting the amnesty to the former militants saying it shows that he has a genuine interest to develop the Niger Delta Region.

"It is believed that the Niger Delta problem is a Nigerian problem which has got to be addressed through home grown strategies and mechanisms. The success of an amnesty programme is rooted in the goodwill and clear vision of President Yar'Adua and his administration's commitment to seeing it through in the best interest of all Nigerians," he said.

Source:DailyChampion

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Posted: at 13-10-2009 04:39 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

see question

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Posted: at 13-10-2009 04:51 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

You are so correct but niger-deltan militants claim everything they do is for niger-delta.  Every money they make is for niger-delta.  Abeg, lets see if they will share that wealth with regular niger-deltans.  Doubt they would though?

Posted: at 14-10-2009 05:21 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming

Bad boy

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Posted: at 14-10-2009 08:33 AM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Let the guys accept the offer in gud faith and drop their wipons,let peace rain.

Posted: at 14-10-2009 10:59 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming

come wait for me

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Posted: at 14-10-2009 12:21 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

lol

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Posted: at 14-10-2009 01:25 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

well,dats a good incentive 2 really douse the tension in dat region.but an enabling environment has 2 be put in place in the same region which will trigger a ripple effect on their sustainability...

Posted: at 14-10-2009 02:34 PM (14 years ago) | Newbie

mmmm

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Posted: at 14-10-2009 03:26 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Abeg dey one side jorr...... person no go joke again bcos dem give militants money?.....

Abeg teeco carry ur gun make we waka

Posted: at 14-10-2009 03:49 PM (14 years ago) | Hero