NABDA to train 5,000 ex-militants

The National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) has agreed to train thousands of  ex-agitators under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The NABDA Coordinatng Director, Mr Josiah Bitrus Habu made this known at the agency’s  headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday while receiving  the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd).

General Boroh who led the Presidential Amnesty Team said the primary objective of the office is to reintegrate fully the 30,000 Amnesty beneficiaries and that agriculture is  the fastest and most sustainable means of doing so.

He said his findings revealed that the NABDA which uses technology and the principles of science to produce high yields in farming would be worthy partners of the programme.

General Boroh added that the Amnesty office is ready to send thousands of Amnesty beneficiaries for immediate training by the agency.

The government he said is diversifying, refocusing the attention  of the country from oil especially when the prices are not as attractive, to other areas particularly agriculture.

NABDA told General Boroh that the agency has a capacity to simultaneously train 5,000 Amnesty beneficiaries  at its  Odi, Bayelsa State centre in such areas like  high yielding plantain and banana farming or plantation  and high variety grass cutter and snail reproduction.

He said the training will be tailored towards ensuring  job creation and empowerment, food security and at a serene environment.

The NABDA Director said the amnesty ex-agitators will benefit from the use of technology and the principles of science to produce high yields in food and ensuring good health for the people. He added that  the country with its 180 million people is a ready market for all agricultural products as is the ECOWAS region.

General Boroh expressed appreciation to the agency for agreeing to train the Amnesty beneficiaries not only in its 500-capacity centre in Odi, but also at its  centres  in  Owode, Ogun State; Isanlu, Kwara State: Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Akoko, Ondo State and Abuja.

He said that the Amnesty office was ready to send the trainees as soon as the agency is ready to receive them.

Gen Boroh later undertook an inspection of the demonstration units at the NABDA Headquarters which included an integrated feed mill which relies entirely on local products on Agriculture value chain including engine fabrication.