President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has said that the post-amnesty period would require great patience, perseverance and hard work.

President Yar’Adua was speaking to leaders of the former militants from the Niger Delta, during a recent meeting at State House in Abuja, convened to discuss post-amnesty issues.

Also in attendance were Governors of the Nigeria's South-South zone, Ministers of Defence, the Niger Delta ministry, Finance ministry, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Special Adviser on Petroleum and heads of intervention agencies of government – NAPEP, NDDC, NDE, SMEDAN, MDG, and PTDF.

He said the ‘great achievement of the laying down of arms and renunciation of militancy must be supported to ensure peace, security and development in the Niger Delta region’, adding that this will require ‘great patience, perseverance and hard work from all of us’.

President Yar’Adua appealed to all concerned in the process to show ‘sincerity of purpose and patience, because development takes time and huge resources’ and not to lose sight of the goal.

The President further stated that if ‘we treat the post-amnesty process right, Nigeria will become a global example of how to achieve peace and development under the most difficult circumstances, as well as a reference point for the international community to emulate’, adding that the Administration was already working hard to ensure an unqualified success of the process.

President Yar’Adua said the willingness of the former militant leaders to attend the meeting showed that Nigerians are good people, and thanked them for responding to his invitation.

Responding on behalf of the Governors, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State said the Niger-Delta governors were convinced that the post-amnesty period would be very exciting for all Niger Delta people, and pledged their full and total support for the process.

Further response from one of the former militant leaders, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, confirmed their high hopes for the future, and pledged to support and cooperate with the Administration, for the development of the Niger Delta.