The Federal Government on Sunday sent 74 ex- militants from the Niger Delta region to University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three-year degree programme.
The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters, Kingsley Kuku, while speaking prior to the departure of the transformed ex-militants said the 74 men, in line with the government’s post amnesty programme, had undergone non-violence transformational training in Obubra, Cross River State, and found fit to acquire educational training overseas.
Kuku said the men would do three to four-year courses in engineering, business administration and other related fields. Before now, 292 ex- militants had been sent to South Africa and Ghana for vocational courses and with the present batch, a total of 366 ex- militants had gained from government’s post amnesty training programme.
He revealed that in the coming weeks, more delegates would travel to countries including Philippines, Russia, Romania, United Kingdom, United States of America, Egypt, Poland and the Netherlands to commence various types of training.
Kuku explained that since the commencement of the of the re- integration phase of the programme in August 2010, more than 7,000 transformed ex-combatants had been allocated to both local and offshore training centres with more than 2,000 slated for educational and vocational training offshore. He urged the men to be good ambassadors of the country, adding that he would not interfere with cases involving the ex-militants’ misconduct while in Malaysia.
Also speaking at the departure ceremony, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, urged the men to contact the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia for any assistance they might require.
“Obey their rules. Work hard and don’t be carried away by what you see there. Shun any act of misconduct. Work hard to redefine Niger Delta. Don’t look for quick money,” he advised. Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, urged the ex- militants to utilise the window provided for them to embrace university education, adding that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as education was all they needed to attain the highest height in life.
He urged them to comport themselves well and abide by all the laws of Malaysia as the country did not tolerate drugs and other unacceptable practices. Falana, who is also the president of West African Bar Association, said : “ I want you to appreciate the investment of the government on you as this window for educational training is one of the best investments any government could give to its citizens. If not for education, our President, Goodluck Jonathan, will not be president today. So, this opportunity must not be allowed to slip by.”
Continuing, he said: “The various kinds of trainings and general life exposure they are set to receive at the offshore training centres is a further attempt to effectively transform and prepare them as change agents, useful to themselves and to the larger society. But even more important the training, skills and formal education the delegates will receive in the designated centres and institutions will enable them key into the huge infrastructural revolution currently sweeping through the Niger Delta.”
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