Deep sea diving: Amnesty programme seeks NPA support to train Niger Delta youths

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) says it is repositioned to build the capacity of restive youths in the Niger Delta region.

Barry Ndiomu, interim administrator of the programme, spoke during a courtesy call to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos on Thursday.

Ndiomu, who was received by Mohammed Bello-Koko, NPA managing director, and the management team, said the PAP is tackling unrest and unemployment by empowering youths with requisite skills.

 “When I took over in September 2022, I discovered that the programme had been drifting away from the core objectives of why it was established,” he said. 

“I had to redirect the vision towards the initial concept, which is essential to build the capacity of the teeming restive youths in the region. Like they say, ‘an idle mind is the devil’s workshop’. 

“When these boys are jobless, what do you expect from them? They engage in criminal activities, including pipeline vandalisation, piracy and other activities which affect the economy.” 

Ndiomu said the amnesty programme has five vocational centres, which were established with different specialisations. 

He solicited technical support as well as long-term strategic collaboration in utilising one of the jetties of the NPA for the deep sea diving school in Rivers state.

“This is one area where we can get the youths to create sustainable livelihood. These boys are willing to learn. Many of them have been trained but sadly, they are unemployed,” he said. 

“I do not think this is in the best interest of the country. We have been managing them by paying them the recommended stipend monthly but it is not the right way to go because we are indirectly encouraging the culture of indolence and dependency. 

“It is not something we should encourage in our youths, rather we should give them the opportunity to be self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the economy.” 

Bello-Koko commended Ndiomu for boosting the capacity of youths in the Niger Delta and said the authority strives to maintain a good working relationship with host communities.

“We will work with you to give you all the support you need. We’ll work with you to see any available jetty for the purpose you want to use it for,” he said. 

“When it comes to deep sea diving and other marine-related training, we have experienced staff here that we can always send to you to offer training and advisories whenever the need arises.”