Presidential Amnesty Graduates 349 Ex-Agitators Trained On Different Vocations
The novel Train, Employ and Mentor, TEM, model introduced by the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), has produced its first 349 graduates trained on different vocations.
The 349 ex-agitators graduated after being trained on different skills, including welding, fabrication, abrasive blasting, scaffolding, plumbing, electrical and solar energy, tilling/interlocking etc, at a company owned by an ex-agitator, High Chief Bibopere Ajube, at Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Speaking at the event, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Orimisan 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 has helped to curb youth restiveness across the region, and also produced a new legion of entrepreneurs in various sectors.
While congratulating the beneficiaries, Aiyedatiwa noted that their graduation signalled the commencement of massive opportunities in their quest to become active players in the key sectors of the nation’s economy.
He said: “I have no doubt that these graduates are quality products because of the institution they passed through. I am also indeed very pleased to know that the partnership between Bradama and the Presidential Amnesty Programme is still very effective in providing the technical manpower for the oil and gas and other sectors.
“The dearth and scarcity of manpower in the oil and gas industry and other relevant sectors in the value chain has been a major challenge.”
Also, the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), said in line with delivering the transformation of delegates to “skill giants” in the Niger Delta, PAP under his watch ensured that only companies that demonstrated the capacity to train delegates in a resourced technical facility and with ability to provide employment to at least 50 per cent of the best graduands are engaged to execute TEM projects.
Dikio 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.
“The Bradama facility as you have experienced is equipped to train delegates in all types of welding, fabrication, abrasive blasting, scaffolding, plumbing, electrical and solar energy and tilling/interlocking amongst others.
“I believe that the 349 successful delegates seated here, can now boast of being skilled and licensed in these various skill sets. PAP is really proud of your success and your families would be happier having been granted a ticket to fit into sustainable livelihood.
“It is the desire of PAP to flood the Niger Delta region with qualified technicians that would take their pride of place in most companies operating 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 struggle for a better Niger Delta.
Some of the graduates said it was a dream come true and thanked the PAP for engaging them with the life transforming opportunity that had restored their economic future and that of their families.
