40 Niger Delta ex-militants graduate with First Class and Second Class Upper from Benson Idahosa University

Forty delegates under the Presidential Amnesty Programme graduated in First Class and Second Class Upper Division from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin. The results issued by the university on Monday, showed that six of the Amnesty delegates had First Class; one in Mathematics, two in Business Administration and three in Political Science and Public Administration.

Thirty four other Amnesty delegates graduated with Second Class Upper Division (2:1) A breakdown of those graduating with Upper Class showed that eight were in Political Science, four each in the Department of Economics, Banking and Finance, and the Mass Communication Department. Three each graduated in this Class from Computer Science, Business Administration and International Studies and Diplomacy.

Two graduated in Physics while one each graduated with Second Class Upper in Law, Agric Economics, Political Science Education, Library Studies, Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Business Education. Overall, over 50 percent of the 79 graduating Amnesty Programme delegates from the university had First Class and Second Class Upper degrees.

While receiving the official results from the university, an elated Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) said the outstanding performance of the Amnesty delegates showed that if given the opportunity, youths from the Niger Delta can excel. He recalled with joy that just a fortnight ago, 22 of 144 delegates who graduated from 17 United Kingdom universities had First Class and Second Class Upper degrees. He pointed out that three of these UK graduates had First Class degrees in Mechatronics and Robotic System Engineering, Telecommunications and Network Engineering, and Public Relations from Liverpool and Bedfordshire universities.

General Boroh who is also the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme said the retention and funding of the Amnesty Programme by President Muhammadu Buhari shows he is committed to the stability and development of the Niger Delta.

He thanked the President for ensuring the sustainability of the Amnesty Programme and urged youths in the Niger Delta irrespective of their education or professional calling, to give a thought to agriculture either as a primary or secondary means of income in order, among other objectives, to create jobs, generate wealth and achieve food security.