The Federal Government will train 500 ex-militants in agriculture and aquaculture under its amnesty programme, an official has said.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Paul Boro, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria shortly after his visit to Bio-resources Development Centre (BIODEC), Odi in Bayelsa.

He said the would-be trainees were selected from Akwa Ibom, Abia, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The special adviser said the training would create jobs and wealth for the youth, especially now that the country sought to diversify the economy.

According to him, 18 other ex-militants had acquired skills in aquaculture under the programme.

Mr. Boro, who is also the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, said he took a tour of the centre to monitor the progress of staff and livestock in the centre.

“The Amnesty Office is committed to training youths to become productive in the area of agriculture and aquaculture.

“We will encourage them to plan their future, study and appreciate the value of knowledge in the modern society,” the retired Brigadier General said.

He promised that loans would be made available to the beneficiaries to enable them to establish businesses after the training. (NAN)

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