Kuku Tasks Ex-militant Leaders On Peace

SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta/Chairman of Presidential Committee on Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, has solicited for the support of ex-militant leaders in ensuring peace in the country

Kuku, who spoke at the weekend in Yenagoa at the launch of the Leadership Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), a non-governmental organisation floated by ex-militant leaders across in Niger Delta, said the ex-freedom fighters have been transformed.

He said his job, as the head of the Presidential Amnesty Committee would be incomplete without the re-integration of ex-militants into the community to contribute their skills and intellect to the growth and development of the place, where hitherto they were seen as destroyers.

The Special Adviser, who was represented by Mr. Lawrence Pepple noted: “You have shown me that I have a partner in you, together we will draw up a timetable of community tour of all the very seriously impacted communities during the period of the conflict so that healing process can commenced.

“You have taken it upon yourselves to be anti-crusaders against corruption, pursuing issues of good governance within your communities and the Niger Delta apart from being advocates of initiative that bring about proper and sustainable development inline with UN Resolution of sustainable peace and sustainable development.”

The presidential aide noted that some of the beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme are doing well, noting that 17of the pilot trainees including a 20-year old, youngest pilot, have reached the height of their training in piloting after passing the Commercial Pilot License Test and were decorated in Mafikeng, South Africa.

 With the graduation of some of the beneficiaries, the Amnesty boss urged the society to stop stereotyping and stigmatizing the graduands upon their return, rather they should be given the opportunity to put to use the skills they have acquired, stressing that this is the crucial stage of the Amnesty programme.

In his speech, the president of Leadership Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) and ex-militant leader, Pastor Reuben Wilson, said the quest for peace informed the formation of the body to serve as a meeting point and catalyst for peace advocacy in the Niger Delta.

Reiterating their condemnation on the recent gruesome murder of 12 policemen in Bayelsa, Pastor Wilson blamed the incident on anti-peace agents and promised to assist security agencies in bringing the culprits to book to serve as a deterrent to others