Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Elder Power Ziakede Aginighan, has commended President Umaru Yar’Adua, over the decision to grant amnesty to the militants in the Niger Delta Region.
He said this singular action has demonstrated in very unequivocal terms, the commitment of the Yar’Adua/Goodluck Presidency to addressing the Niger Delta question.
Speaking to newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, on his way to Abuja, Aginighan said �as a former Ijaw, Niger Delta and Nigerian student and youth activist and one born and bred in the creeks of the Niger Delta, I maintain that the crisis in the Niger Delta region is largely in response to the paradox of doom in the midst of boom.
�By granting amnesty to Niger Delta militants, the Presidency has clearly shown significant concern to plights of the Niger Delta people and the genuineness of their agitation for a better deal, which is coming on the heels of Mr President�s decision to fund the Niger Delta Development Commission.�
according to the provisions of the enabling Act, well meaning persons in the Niger Delta have no other option than to appeal to our children in arms to lay down their arms and take advantage of the various development programmes and projects that will be embarked upon by the NDDC, the Niger Delta States and Local Governments, the Federal Government, the oil companies and the private sector within the framework of the Niger Delta Regional development masterplan.Elder Power Aginighan who was appointed Acting Executive Director in May 2007, was the Director-General of the Ijaw Youth Action League from 1980 to 1983, General Secretary of the Students Union Government of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt 1979/1980. He was also the 1st Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress from November 1991- July 1993.
Sep262007