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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) model introduced by the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd) has recorded its first 349 graduates.
The 349 ex-agitators graduated from Bradama, a company owned by an ex-agitator, Bibopere Ajube, aka Shoot-at-Sight, at Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Speaking at the event, the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, hailed Dikio for fulfilling the mandate of the programme by restoring peace in the Niger Delta and creating sustainable means of livelihood for the people.
He said Dikio’s approach of creating wealth using the TEM scheme had helped to curb youth restiveness across the region and also produced a new legion of entrepreneurs in various sectors.
A statement signed by Dikio’s Special Adviser, Media, Neotabase Egbe, said while congratulating the beneficiaries, Aiyedatiwa noted that their graduation signaled the commencement of massive opportunities in their quest to become active players in the key sectors of the nation’s economy.
In his address to the graduands, Dikio said 51 out of the 400 ex-agitators sent to the facility were expelled for offences bordering on indiscipline.
He said the choice of Bradama as the pioneer TEM facilitator was informed by the development and growth of the company owned by Ajube, who was one of those at the forefront of the agitations for a more developed Niger Delta.
Congratulating the graduands, Dikio appealed to those to be retained in the facility to remain good ambassadors of PAP while others would be guided by the Job Placement Unit of PAP to other opportunities in the region.
Also, speaking the Managing Director of Bradama International Skills Work Limited, Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, described the event as the result of their struggle for a better Niger Delta.
