FG Double Talk: Offers Amnesty To Repentant Boko Haram Members

The Federal Government yesterday offered amnesty to Boko Haram members, who lay down their arms.

This is coming on the heels of a recent statement by President Goodluck Jonathan who promised a total out right war on the terrorist group.

Minister of Youth Development Boni Haruna said at a youth programme titled: “A day with young leaders of Nigeria”, to mark Democracy Day in Abuja that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved amnesty for the sect members who renounce violence. President Jonathan and his wife Patience attended the event.

He said: “A series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace. Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key into the amnesty programme.”

The late former President Umaru Yar’Adua, who Jonathan succeeded, granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants in exchange for  dropping their arms.

On the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, Haruna said the government introduced a development programme which gave the youths an opportunity to have a meaningful life.

According to him, over 30,000 youths have benefited from the amnesty programme which he recalled followed a bitter national security experience.

The beneficiaries of the amnesty have transformed from militants to wealth creators, employers and skilled citizens.

During an interactive session with the youths,  President Jonathan said terrorism cannot succeed in any community without support from the local people.

Calling on those respected by the insurgents to join hands with the government to encourage them to lay down their arms, the President said the military alone could not stop terrorism.

He said: “Terror succeeds with local support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject it. It is a major challenge to all of us.

“Military alone cannot stop terror or any radicalism. Terrorists have people they respect, they have community, traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can deradicalise them.”

“We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.”

To ensure that youths are reorientated and not misled, he said his government is working out modalities for reintroducing moral education in schools.

Youths, he said, were already leading because they decide who rules at all levels of government through their large population, which he said is about 60 per cent of the total electorate in any election.

Stressing that his administration would continue to encourage youngsters, he said they were no longer leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.

The President added that his government was working hard to redistribute wealth in the country, which he said had not been even.

One of the emphasis of the government is to encourage self-employment, he said.

On the youths request for a youthful person to be Minister of Youth Development, the President replied: “The best person to take care of a child may not necessarily be a child.”

According to him, the younger generation needs to tap from the experiences of older ones.

Jonathan harped on the need for parties to give women more opportunities in elective positions.

President Jonathan also said $40m venture capital funds had been set aside to help local entrepreneurs access funds to develop their businesses in the country.

He said part of the fund amounting to $25 million is currently domiciled with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development while another $15million is with the Ministry of Communication Technology for the promotion of ICT related businesses.

He said: “So, we are creating platforms for young people to access grants more than just loans”

There were motivational talks at the occasion by the youngest African billionaire and Chief Executive Officer, Mara Foundation, Mr. Ashish Takker, and the Co-Founder of Jumia Nigera, Tunde Kehinde.

There was also a presentation of a book on the third anniversary of the President’s transformation agenda, a video documentary of the third anniversary of the transformation agenda and the launching of Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship and Empowerment Scheme.

Others in attendance were Vice President Namadi Sambo and Chief Justice of Nigeria Maryam Mukhtar,  former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and former Chief of General Staff Gen. Oladipo Diya.