PAP: Rivers youths applaud Dikio, appeal for more support

By Prince Owong

PORT-HARCOURT -Rivers Youths from Engenni Kingdom in Ahoada West local government area of the State, have applauded the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Colonel Milland Dikio for repositioning the programme, adding his charismatic leadership and inclusive policy styles had placed him above previous administrators of the programme.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Paul Edum, information officer of the Abua-Odual/Engenni-Ogbogolo Special Chapter of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Tuesday.

While expressing gratitude to him, the Youths said he was the first PAP coordinator to have benefited youths of Engenni Kingdom.

The youths who applauded Dikio on his reappointment as interim administrator of the amnesty programme, added that he is among the best that had ever govern the amnesty office.

They asserted that Dikio is a good man who has the interest of his people at heart, noting that the people of Abua-Odual/Engenni-Ogbogolo Special Chapter of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) were strongly behind him.

Comrade Edum, urged youths of Engenni and Niger Deltan to work with Dikio to better the lots of the region.

In a related development, the acting president of Engenni Youth Assembly, Barr. Dunese Atkinson Akio, also hailed Dikio for his leadership prowess, stressing that youths of Engenni Kingdom were fortunate to have him as the PAP helmsman.

He added that the amnesty programme under Dikio has been of immense help not only to youths of the Kingdom but also to ex-agitators, resulting in the reign of peace in the region.

Akio maintained that Dikio has place himself above previous PAP administrators and there are hopes for impacted communities such as Mbiama and other Engenni communities that have suffered the brunt of Niger Delta agitation from the inception of Isaac Boro to benefit from the Programme.

The statement read partly: “It is quite fortunate for us to have a person like Col. Milland Dikio in Engenni community.

“To be frank, he has been of immense importance to the community considering the programmes he has rolled out relating to youth empowerment.

“I can’t quantify how helpful he has been to the youths of Engenni Kingdom and the Niger Delta.

“I want to urge the stakeholders, youths and chiefs of our community and youths in general in the Niger Delta to give Dikio the needed support regarding the development of the Niger Delta”, the youths asserted.

Also speaking, Comrade Mark Obuenem Onyinwo, the Oshie community Youth President commended the works of Dikio, noting that he has showed the capacity to lead the Amnesty programme even beyond expectations.

The Oshie community youth president maintained that under the leadership of Dikio the Presidential Amnesty Programme had engaged many youths from the region.

“We appreciate the good works Col. Milland Dikio, for his kind gesture to the Engenni Kingdom and the Niger Delta at large.

“He has proven to be a leader that has the people at heart, he has shown that he has the capabilities to lead the Amnesty Programme beyond the expectation of the federal government.

“With the steps he has taken so far, he has proven that the Presidential Amnesty programme exists to empower our youths, and with his achievements and efforts to carry every youth along in the region, the Niger Delta will remain peaceful,” he stated.

The youth leader further urged youths who have not benefitted from the programme to be hopeful and patient.