Vanguard Holds Post Amnesty Dialogue

A TWO-day post amnesty dialogue will hold in the oil city of Warri, Delta State from Monday, March 15 to 16, 2010. The event is organized by Vanguard Media Limited in collaboration with the nine governments in the restive Niger Delta region. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to declare it open while dignitaries will be drawn from different parts of the country and other countries that have shown interest in the restoration of peace in the Niger Delta region.
The post amnesty dialogue was designed to develop deliverable content and action framework for the Amnesty programme announced on June 25, 2009, by ailing President Umar Yar'Adua to end hostilities between the Joint Military Task Force and militant groups in the region.

Although the disarmament phase was concluded on October 4, 2009, watchers of the Amnesty programme believe that the Federal Government embarked on a deceitful process of offering amnesty to the fighting youths without providing concrete programme of action to address the issues of reconstruction of the communities devastated by the war that broke out on May 23, 2009, between the militants and soldiers in "Operation Restore Hope."
Also lacking is the programme for rehabilitation of the former fighters who surrendered their weapons and villagers displaced by the asymmetric war that crippled social and economic activities in the Niger Delta region.
Notable dignitaries expected at the event include the Senate President, David Mark, House Speaker, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Chief Edwin Clarke, Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, ministers and legislators from the nine states, leaders of Arewa Consultative Forum, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and Afenifere.

May it not go the way of other Patriotic efforts.