349 former agitators start-up companies using Dikio’s TEM model

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The innovative Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) model was pioneered by 349 militants who had repented, according to Milland Dixon Dikio, interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The 349 ex-agitators received their diplomas from Bradama, a business owned by High Chief Bibopere Ajube (also known as Shoot-at-Sight), an ex-agitator, located in Agadagba-Obon in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, spoke at the event. He was represented by deputy governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. In his remarks, he praised Dikio for bringing peace to the Niger Delta and giving the locals sustainable means of surviving.

He said that Dikio’s method of wealth creation through the TEM plan has reduced youth restlessness throughout the region and generated a new legion of entrepreneurs in a number of different industries.

Neotabase Egbe, Dikio’s special adviser for media, stated in a statement that while congratulating the recipients, Aiyedatiwa remarked that their graduation signaled the beginning of tremendous opportunities in their desire to become active participants in the important areas of the economy.

I have no doubt that these grads are top-notch goods because of the university they attended, he declared. I am very relieved to learn that the alliance between Bradanma and the Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to be very successful in supplying technical labor to the oil and gas industry and other industries.

“A significant concern has been the lack and shortage of skilled labor in the oil and gas industry and other key sectors in the value chain.

It is therefore very heartening to learn that the Amnesty Programme, since it has been in operation, has taken the initiative for a systemic restoration of peace in the Niger Delta through various scholarships into different educational institutions with the provision of technical manpower for the industry, thereby creating means of livelihood for our people.

“This endeavor is a crucial part of the dual effort to undo the effects of the Niger Delta’s long history of infrastructure and human capital neglect.”

Dikio said that 51 of the 400 former agitators who were transferred to the facility were dismissed for alleged indiscipline in his speech to the graduates.

“Unfortunately, 51 delegates were kicked off the program for engaging in inappropriate behavior,” he stated. Despite my continued sadness over this conclusion, I want to emphasize that the PAP I am in charge of will not put up with acts of indiscipline like those committed by the 51 ejected delegates.

Let it be informed that should they commit any further acts of sabotage, these delegates run the risk of being removed off the PAP stipend list.

The PAP official claimed that the introduction of TEM marked a shift from earlier empowerment models, which he claimed were riddled with ineffective oversight and few chances for skill transfer.

After taking office on August 21, 2020, he stated: “Aware of various recognized and accepted flaws, my objective, among others, was to build and provide a skills acquisition program that leads to a sustainable economic empowerment to PAP delegates.”

The model focuses primarily on marine transportation, security, and mechanized aquaculture, while also actively participating in the oil and gas industry and the unexplored blue economy.

Dikio emphasized that under his leadership, PAP made sure that only businesses that could demonstrate the ability to train delegates in a resourced technical facility, such as Bradama, and the ability to employ at least 50% of the best graduates, were engaged to carry out TEM projects. This was done in order to deliver the transformation of delegates into “skill giants” in the Niger Delta.

He said that the development and expansion of the business controlled by Ajube, who was one of the leaders of the campaigns for a more developed Niger Delta, impacted the decision to select Bradama as the initial TEM facilitator.

Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, the managing director of Bradama International Skills Work Limited, hailed the incident as the outcome of the fight for a better Niger Delta.

The graduates hailed the Dikio-led PAP for providing them with the opportunity that changed their lives and restored their family’s economic destiny.