The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) has described the on-going agricultural revolution as a precursor to the anticipated industrialisation in the Niger Delta region.

According to a release made available to CEOAfrica by the Office of the Special Adviser, General Boroh made this observation during the graduation of 100 Amnesty delegates, trained in poultry and fishery, at Songhai Farms in Delta state.

General Boroh who was represented by his aide from the post training unit of the Amnesty Office, Mr Highcoast Umbe, decried the suffering endured by people of the Niger-Delta in spite of the numerous natural resources of the region. He said “though our economy is blessed with series of natural resources, yet we suffer in the midst of plenty.”

While noting that agricultural reformation is a major way to turn the fortunes of the region around, the Presidential Adviser explained that agriculture will attract Foreign Direct Investment and reduce the high level of unemployment, with a view to reducing the over-reliance on crude oil. “Currently, Nigeria has over 80% of arable land, but unfortunately, less than 40% of that land is cultivated, hence, the need to reform the agricultural sector,” he said.

General Boroh further pointed out that with the new challenges facing the country and in line with the present administration’s focus on agriculture, the Presidential Amnesty Office is poised to exploring agriculture to meaningfully engage ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region. “Since its inception in 2009, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has succeeded in training a number of Niger Delta youths in diverse skills, which have improved their lives and that of the impacted communities,” he explained.

He stated that agriculture has been regarded in recent times as the most viable route with which Nigeria can successfully meander through her current economic dilemma. He added that “prior to the discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in 1956, agriculture was the mainstay of the economy, being the highest earner of Foreign Exchange for the country; making Nigeria to be largely self-sufficient in food production then.”

While admonishing the delegates to put into practice what they have learnt during the one month intensive course in poultry and fishery to enhance food production and sustainability, Gen. Boroh, noted that “the increasing attention of the private investor in agriculture is a testimony to the fact that there is a lot of opportunity in the Sector”, just as he assured them that “the next phase of your programme will involve the provision of the necessary facilities for all of you to establish and manage your areas of specialization.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, the vendor, Mrs. Wejinya Stella, in her remarks, commended the Presidential Amnesty Office under the able leadership Gen. Boroh, whom she described as “dynamic, amiable, quintessential, lovely and visionary Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme” for his foresight to train and empower Niger Delta youths through such a sustainable program that has come to stay. She said “We are presenting these Niger Delta youths to you today, as trained, refined and ready to go into full scale production as agric-entrepreneurs.

“The Training programme and the prospects from the acquired knowledge and skills have guaranteed a ready market for increased agricultural production in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. The best way to make a man or woman to be responsible is to give them a responsibility. Therefore, you have set a pace for them to be responsible by giving them a responsibility in Agriculture.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, Engr. Useni A. Ighofinimo, thanked Gen. Boroh for bringing the training programme to Songhai Farms Delta. He also passed a vote of confidence on the 100 delegates for their excellent performance, both in classroom and during the practical sessions, saying that the delegates conducted themselves responsibly all through the training period.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, a delegate, Mr. James Brisibe thanked the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for restoring hopes that were long lost through the various empowerment packages for trained delegates, even as he emphasized the need for prompt implementation of the empowerment phase of the training.