By Emmanuel Nduka
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd) as Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP).
His appointment which was announced in a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina on Thursday, was received with jubilation across the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
He replaces Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).
About Maj. Gen Ndiomu
The appointee hails from Odoni in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of 29th Regular Combatant Course, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1983.
He held several command and staff appointments in the course of his successful military career. He retired in December 2017.
Gen Ndiomu also trained as a lawyer, is an alumnus of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Badagry, Harvard Kennedy School, and George C Marshall Centre for European Security Studies, among others.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme was institutionalized in 2009 by the Musa Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan regime to pardon and reintegrate thousands of ex-agitators, providing the with training and monthly stipends in exchange laying down of arms.
The overall success of the programme since inception, has been measured in mixed feelings.
