President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the renewal of the appointment of retired Col. Milland Dixon Dikio as Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for another one-year tenure.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), his reappointment was confirmed in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Thursday in Abuja.
Adesina, in his statement, said that despite the challenges being faced by the programme, Dikio has been able to command widespread respect amongst the various stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.
What you should know
- Recall that last year, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the initial appointment of Dikio as the Interim Administrator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme with effect from August 21, 2020.
- His appointment by the President follows the removal of Professor Charles Dokubo from Office as the Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme with immediate effect over various allegations bordering on corruption.
- The disengagement of Dokubo was the outcome of the recommendation of the committee set up by the National Security Adviser on the directive of President Buhari, to look into the activities of the programme.
- Dikio hails from Mbiama in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. After his education at Baptist High School, Port Harcourt in 1975, he was admitted into Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 21st Regular Combatant Course. He was appointed the Academy Cadets Adjutant in recognition of his leadership qualities.
- He was posted to the elite Nigerian Army Armored Corps on commission as a Second Lieutenant effective on 3 January 1977. Dikio held command, diplomatic, staff and teaching appointments. He was decorated with ECOMOG, OAU and UN Peacekeeping medals. His conflict resolution credentials were, according to a report by TVC, honed and tested during his numerous field engagements and policy advisory roles at both local and international levels. His flair for language enables him to communicate effectively in whatever environment he is deployed.
- He voluntarily retired in the rank of Colonel in July 2004. Buhari appointed him as Amnesty boss on 26 August 2020.
