Admin l Tuesday, September 26, 2017
ASABA, Delta, Nigeria – Former Commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Mr. Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, popularly known as General Boyloaf, has extolled the leadership qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He described the decision of the President to continue with the Presidential Amnesty Programme on assumption of office as a demonstration of his good intentions for youths of the Niger Delta region.
Boyloaf who applauded the pioneering role of former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva and other Ijaw leaders which culminated in the eventual proclamation of amnesty for repentant militants in the Niger Delta region, hinted on how late former President Shehu Musa Yar’adua contacted him through governor Sylva to discuss the amnesty deal.
According to him, the struggle which led to full militancy in the Niger Delta was part of the agitation for economic emancipation of the people of the region to have a fair share out of the resources from the region that produces over 90 percent of the national wealth, but had nothing to show for it in return because of the insensitivity of previous administrations in the country.
Boyloaf, who was honoured alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig-Gen. Paul Boroh (Rtd), Governor Seriake Dickson and Pastor Reuben with Peace Award, marking the day agitators willingly dropped their arms at the Yenagoa Peace Park called on self seeking politicians to stop distracting the President from carrying out the good plans for the Niger Delta, adding he has faith in the present administration.
It would be recalled that Gen. Boyloaf had joined the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta in 2006, where he rose to prominence in the ranks of MEND.
