MINISTER of Youth Development, Mr.
Boni Haruna, on Thursday disclosed that President Goodluck Jonathan has
offeredmembers of the Boko Haram sect amnesty as part of his administration’s
youths-friendly programmes and policies.
Haruna who disclosed this while
giving an overview of youth’s position in the present administration’s
transformation agenda at a special event tagged “A day with young leaders of
Nigeria” to mark the nation’s Democracy Day in Abuja, also said series of
integration programmes have been lined up for members of the sect who would
surrender their arms and embrace peace.
He therefore called on them to
embrace the government’s gesture.
The minister said, “President
Goodluck Jonathan has also declared amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect.
Series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect
who would surrender their arms and embrace peace. Let me use this opportunity
on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram
sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key-in to the amnesty offer”
He recalled that in the wake of youth
restiveness in the Niger Delta, the government came up with a development programme
which provided an opportunity for the youth to express themselves and have a
meaningful life.
Haruna said although the amnesty
programme was a fallout of a bitter national security, its effect on the youth
had been profound.
He disclosed that 30,000 youths have
benefitted from the programme which has seen beneficiaries transforming from
militants to wealth creators, employers of labour and skilled citizens.
Source: Guardian