By Jimitota Onoyume
FORMER Commander of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, and founder of Niger Delta Vigilante Group, Ateke Tom, said he would not hand over his Camp 8 for destruction.

The ex-militant leader said his decision stemmed from the importance of the camp to operation of fishermen in his area.

Ateke, who recently handed over his other camps to the Joint Task Force in the region, enjoined the Federal Government to permit him to hand over Camp 8 to fishermen in the area for their operation.

He said at the moment fishermen were already carrying out activities in the camp.

The former militant leader called on the Federal Government to continue to take steps to promote peace in the region.

In another development, Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has charged youths to avail themselves of training programmes geared towards developing their mental and psychological well-being.

The governor who spoke while declaring open this year’s citizenship/leadership training programme for youths in the state at the NYSC Orientation camp, Nonwa Gbam in Tai local government area assured that his administration would continue to take steps to properly equip youths in the state for challenges ahead.

The governor, who was represented by his Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Felix Nwaeke appealed to the youths to shun acts of criminality including kidnappings.