It's provocative for IPDI to describe Itsekiri entitlement in PAP as privilege, WYC thunders

Warri Youth Council, WYC, has vented anger over the reported claim by Ijaw Peoples Movement Initiative, IPDI, suggesting that the benefits enjoyed by Itsekiri ethnic Nationality, under the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP is a privilege, rather than entitlement.                              

The Warri Youth Council, WYC in a statement made available to Fresh Angle International Sunday August 10, described the IPDI's position as " not only provocative and reckless, but also reveals a staggering ignorance about the disarmament and demobilisation of the Itsekiri in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area."                                   

The National Chairman and National Secretary of WYC, Comrade Henry Omajugho and Comrade Jonathan Okotie, respectively, in the statement, insisted that the current Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has neglected and abandoned 65 percent of Itsekiri ex - agitators.                             

They declared: " Warri Youth Council has been made aware of a publication attributed to a faceless group calling itself the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI. While we would typically disregard such a provocative and reckless publication, we feel compelled to respond to prevent our silence from being misconstrued as true: 

". The statement issued by the faceless Ijaw group suggesting that the benefits enjoyed by the Itsekiri ethnic nationality under the Amnesty Programme are a privilege rather than an entitlement is not only provocative and reckless, but also reveals a staggering ignorance about the disarmament and demobilization of the Itsekiri in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area.

"2. Despite disarmament in Koko, the Itsekiri ex-agitators faced denial of demobilisation and entitlement in the Programme until a petition to the National Assembly led to the formation of a committee. This committee verified the authenticity of Itsekiri disarmament in Koko, resulting in the approval of a mere 500 slots for overseas training in 2012. The previous administration deployed about 45 percent in accordance with the agreement, whereas the current administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has neglected and abandoned the remaining 65 percent.

"3. It is a blatant falsehood to suggest that Itsekiri PAP beneficiaries should be grateful to Dr. Otuaro and the Ijaw people for their alleged benevolence and consideration. The fact is that the 500 Itsekiri ex-agitators with uncodes were captured in the Third Phase of the Programme and enjoyed equal rights with their Ijaw counterparts. "Furthermore, Dr. Dennis Otuaro has not demonstrated any consideration for Itsekiri ex-agitators with uncodes, and his administration's bias against them remains a concern unless he reconsiders his stance.

"4. We reiterate that Itsekiri ex-agitators have not received support from the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Dennis Otuaro's leadership, despite our numerous correspondences regarding their neglect. While we acknowledge the slots allocated to his Itsekiri associates, this should not be misconstrued as support for the Itsekiri ex-agitators. 

"5. However , It is the right of the Itsekiri to benefit from the Presidential Amnesty Programme's Scholarship program, as the allocated funds are derived from our natural resources and the federal government, thus it is not an Ijaw fund.

"6. Consequently, we stand by our earlier position due to the programme's persistent neglect, bias, and nepotism. We have never experienced such treatment within the programme.

"7. We will await the outcome of any engagement with the leaders, and if, after a reasonable period, there is no progress, we will initiate Operation Ground Zero with our mother groups Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality Ex-agitators Forum, Itsekiri National Development Initiative, INDI, Itsekiri Federated Communities Of Nigeria and Niger Delta For Good Governance and Environmental Justice (NDGGEJ)."

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