Learn from mistakes of your predecessors, ex-agitators tell new PAP boss

The Coalition of ex-Niger Delta Agitators has urged the newly appointed Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixion Dikio (rtd), to learn from the mistakes of his predecessors.

In a statement by chairman of Amnesty Phase II, Delta State chapter, Ambassador Kingsley Muturu, the group implored the appointee to live up to the expectations of the people of the oil-rich region.

The former freedom fighters promised to cooperate with Dikio to achieve the “desired objective of appeasing restive youths in the Niger Delta region.”

They said: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Col. Milland Dikio as coordinator of the amnesty programme. In our opinion, Col. Dikio fits the bill. He is a round peg in a round hole.

“The new coordinator should bring his wealth of experience garnered during his meritorious service in the Nigerian military to bear on his new assignment.

“Col. Dikio should see this as a call to serve, and avoid the obvious mistakes of his predecessors. His predecessors’ shipwreck should be his ship mark. He should avoid the pitfalls, distractions and the lucre of office, and concentrate on delivering on the mandate of the programme for the benefit of those it is intended for.

“We are ready to work with the new coordinator in order to achieve the desired result. We know he is capable and can deliver the goods, but our advice to him is to focus and avoid sycophants who don’t want anything good for the region.

“His immediate focus should be on key areas capable of restoring the people’s confidence that the programme is meant for them. Such key areas, like the scholarship scheme, should be given attention. In the last six months, students – both on local and foreign scholarships – have not been paid. We plead with him to urgently tackle this.”

However, immediate past Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has congratulated Dikio on his appointment.

A statement yesterday by his Media Adviser, Fidelis Soriwei, also quoted him as commending President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing another Ijaw son, once again, into the sensitive position.