Federal Government's amnesty programme is not an issue confined to the Niger-Delta but it is rather a Nigeria project, Senate Deputy Leader Abdul Ningi has said.
He told the Southern Africa correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg that the programme was more than a pipe-dream project.
NAN reports that Ningi and members of the National Assembly's Committees on Niger-Delta were in Johannesburg to assess the amnesty programme of training former Niger-Delta militants as pilots.
The ex-militants were being trained at the Africa Union Aviation Academy in South Africa.
“The whole idea of amnesty started as a dream by two men, late President Umar Yar'Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan. But, today, it is now a reality.
“We, as members of the National Assembly, are impressed and proud of what these young Nigerians have been able to achieve in less than a year of their training here.
“I am very certain that from the perspective of aviation in Nigeria in the next few years, we don't need to go looking for non-Nigerians to manage our aviation industry,'' Ningi said.
He said members of the committee were impressed with the depth of technical knowledge displayed by the young Nigerian pilot trainees.
“I flew with two of the trainee pilots, one in Marfinkeng and the other in Midrand. The way they displayed technical communication with the people on ground and those in other aircraft is like they have been flying for 10 to 20 years,'' Ningi said.
He said there was the need to re-energise the Nigerian vision to attain greatness.
“There is need for us to re-energise our vision for the country. The morale of the country is low now, but with what we have seen since our coming here, I think the sky is the limit for young Nigerians if given the opportunity.
“Challenges are there, but I think Nigerians are ready to confront such challenges. Those of us at the position of leadership must give them what they need morally and financially to make sure their dreams are realised.''
The lawmaker said members of the committee would return to South Africa in 2013 to re-assess the progress being made by the trainees.
Ningi assured the trainees that their request for the extension of their training programme would be looked into.
“We will do everything within the law in making sure that the trainees get the expected time required to come out as well-trained pilots.
“Though they have been given 18 months’ student visas, but we are not asking the trainees the time they require. We will however ask their trainers what time they require to complete their training and we will take it up from there,'' he said.
The senator appealed to the trainees to continue to display high level of discipline.
“ Our appeal to them is to continue to be of good discipline. The aviation sector involves human lives and requires high level of dedication and discipline.
“Also, they should see themselves as Nigeria's ambassadors. So, they must always conduct themselves well to project a good image for Nigeria,'' Ningi said.
On his part, Sen. Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger-Delta, said the visit was part of the body’s oversight function.
“We have not come here to share your day of glory alone, but also to see how the programme has been able to transform your lives.
“We are here today because of what happened in our country some years back when a section of the country felt it had not been appreciated.
“Resources are very limited all over the world, but from the little resources available, the Nigerian government set aside some to find a way of making these young Nigerians contribute to national development.
“You have made us proud as Nigerians. The resources set aside for your training have been judiciously utilised,'' Abatemi-Usman said.
He said with the ex-militants’ training, many generations of Nigerians would benefit from their expertise and knowledge.
“We are not just training 51 pilots in South Africa, but a generation of Nigerians. I am glad that you have done yourselves and the nation proud,'' Abatemi-Usman said.
He said the National Assembly would look at the possibility of expanding the programme beyond the present administration.
“We have looked at the facilities and training here, and back home we will look at the possibility of improved funding for the programme, and how to sustain it beyond the present administration,'' the senator said.
Mr Warman Ogoriba, Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Niger Delta, said when the programme was first initiated, many Nigerians believed nothing good would come out of it.
“I want to commend the trainees for proving wrong those Nigerians who did not share in the vision of the amnesty programme. Some people saw the whole idea as a waste of resources and money.
“But if we, as the representatives of our people, can fly with them, I believe the nation will begin to appreciate that the programme is achieving its desired objective,'' Ogoriba said.
Kingsley Kuku, Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, said the project was a gamble which has now paid off.
“The aviation training is a gamble that I took. But, today, I am happy that the trainees have made Nigeria proud with their achievements within a short time of their training.
“I had also emphasised the need for a high level of discipline among the trainees. One of them was expelled for travelling without permission, while another one, on her own, withdrew from the aviation school for another programme,'' Kuku said.
Bassey Henshaw, the students' representative, thanked the Nigerian government for giving them the opportunity to be better Nigerians.
“I must on behalf of my colleagues thank President Goodluck Jonathan, and the government and people of Nigeria for giving us a second chance to contribute to nation-building.
“I also want to thank the members of the National Assembly for the visit and believing in us, by flying in our solo flight.
“This is an opportunity we all cherish and we will do everything to justify the huge resources expended on us,'' Henshaw said.
NAN reports that 22 trainees were awarded Private Pilot Licence (PPL) while one was awarded Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).