45 student delegates of the Presidential Amnesty Programme graduated from two universities in Belarus with three of them clinching first class honors in Information Technology from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics.
While a total of 29 majored in various fields from the Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics, 16 others trained in related areas at Brest State University, Belarus.
The graduation ceremony in Minsk was well attended by envoys from various countries with a delegation from the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The First Vice Rector of Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics Dr Siarhei Dzit in a graduation speech commended the international students, including the Amnesty delegates for their resilience and expressed hope that they will apply the knowledge gained in advancing society.
He said ‘’ as one of the best international schools in Information Technology, we are known to produce graduates with the requisite technical knowledge to meet contemporary challenges in the industry. I am optimistic that these graduates can firmly take their place in world class firms to exhibit their professionalism’’.
In a congratulatory message to the graduating students from the Amnesty Programme, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme Brigadier General Paul Boroh(Rtd) commended the delegates for outstanding performance.
He noted that excellence is the hallmark of the presidential Amnesty programme, thus the expectations from every delegate to exude the highest level of competence and excellence in their chosen area of vocation .
Attributing the success to their peculiar position and drive as Niger Delta youths to better their lot in life, Gen. Boroh urged the graduates to put to gainful use the skills they now possess to place Nigeria on the map in Information Technology and other advanced technical areas.
He stressed on the imperatives for quality education , re-stating the commitment of the Amnesty Office to use education as a strategy for human capital development in the Niger Delta region.
General Boroh’s message also emphasised the resolve of the Buhari administration to create opportunities in the region and noted that as internationally certified technicians in specialised fields, the new graduates are better positioned to be part of government new projects in the Niger Delta.
He encouraged them through the message to take advantage of current efforts by government to involve Niger Deltans in oil production through the establishment of modular refineries, community pipeline surveillance and massive job opportunities in railway projects across the region.
A representative of the delegates and first class awardee Christopher Okorie expressed appreciation and thanked the Federal Government and the Amnesty office for the unique opportunity given them to study in one of the best Universities. He said they are now Change Agents with the hope to give back to their country through professional service delivery and to humanity.