Revealed: Wike plans to better the lives of cultists in Rivers state

– Since becoming the governor of Rivers over a year ago, Nyesom Wike had adopted various means to quell criminal activities in the state

– This time, he is working on a new programme that needs to be explained to residents in the state as part of his plans for peace

The Rivers state government has explained that the amnesty programme initiated by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike in the state is not meant to enrich repentant cultists and criminals with cash rewards.

Governor Nyesom Wike personally led the demolition of slums which housed alleged criminals

Instead, the act is to provide responsible rehabilitation that would integrate them back into society.

The deputy governor of the state, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo, said this while presenting a paper at the Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Development (LEAD) summit organised by the Rivers state Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

READ ALSO: Rivers police chief raises concern over arms proliferation

A statement by Paul Damgbor, the press secretary to the deputy governor, said while presenting the paper titled: ‘Rivers state amnesty programme: a vehicle for addressing youth restiveness,’ Dr Banigo explained that the state government’s economic empowerment programme is a deliberate effort designed to economically empower Rivers people especially the youth towards the upliftment of their standard of living as well as boast the economy of the state.

“The Amnesty Program is not intended to give cash reward to repentant criminals and cultist in the State. Rather, it is intended to provide a responsible rehabilitation for them,” he said.

The deputy governor stated that in order to confront the menace of cultism and kidnapping in the state head-on, Governor Wike immediately after being sworn-in, signed into law the Rivers state kidnap (prohibition) amendment law 2015 and led security agents recently to the demolition of some criminal hideouts in Rumuolumeni community in Obio/Akpor local government area of the state.

She disclosed that over 35,000 micro business owners in the state, most of whom are youths, have been empowered through the N2 billion CBN micro business scheme.

READ ALSO: Angry residents take to streets against Gov Wike

Dr Banigo further stressed the need for the youth to develop their skill in schools and imbibe the culture of volunteering as a platform to also build skills.

She noted that leadership is about vision, motivation and identifying problem with a view to apply innovation and creativity to proffer solution.

She commended Governor Wike for his effort towards restoring peace in the state adding that this was necessary for attracting both local and foreign investors to achieve economic development.

Rivers state is reputed to be one of the most volatile in Nigeria with the proliferation of small arms.

A prominent lawyer and rights activist in the state was recently killed and this action has elicited anger in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In July, 2016, the governor personally led a team of security personnel to demolish slums where criminals and cultists hibernated in the state.

The demolition exercise took place in Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor local government areas of the state.

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