By Emeka Umejei, Lagos
Former President of Ijaw Youth Council(IYC),Dr.Chris Ekiyor has
refuted allegation in some quarters that 18 Ex-Militants undergoing
Post amnesty training in South Africa were thrown out of their hotel
for lack of funds.
According to Ekiyor, the Amnestyoffice headed by Kingsley Kuku has
always met the needs of ex-militants under any of its training
programmes both within and outside the country.Hence, it is not
possible that Ex-militants in far-away South Africa will bestarved of
funds.
Stating further, Ekiyor condemned what he termed the resort of the
Ex-militants to blackmail the ongoing effort of Government at training
ex-militants for onward assimilation into the society.
“ It is pure blackmail, nobodyejected the 18 Ex-militants from the
hotel they were lodged. They checked out of the hotel in protest for a
five star accommodation which contradicts everysense of a academic
pursuit,” Ekiyor stated.
Stating further, Ekiyor emphasized that the ex-militants should be
grateful to government instead of resorting to cheapblackmail.
According to him, there are many university graduates from the Niger
Delta region who are roaming University roaming the streets in search
of jobs.
“ There are many University graduatesfrom the Niger Delta who have
good grades and are roaming the streets. Insteadof the Ex-militants to
be grateful to government for such a rare opportunitythey are trying
to blackmail it,” Ekiyor noted.
However, Ekiyor who said he is intouch with the Amnesty office
disclosed that kuku has vowed to get to the root of the matter and
ensure it is notswept under the carpet.
Ekiyor also disclosed that someofficials of the amnesty office are
already in South Africa to unravel thecause of the matter.
