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By Bayo Davids
Eminent Nigerians including political leaders, traditional rulers and ex-militant leaders have felicitated with Chief Ebikabowei Victor-Be popularly known as General Boyloaf on the ocassion of his birthday.
This is as they described him as an embodiment commitment to regional, national peace, development and true governance.
The political class singled him out for praise for his sacrifice during the last Presidential Campaign Council during the 2022/2023 election cycle, where he left no one in doubt of his quest for a stable and prosperous Nigeria.
On their part, ex-Niger Delta Agitators commended him for his decision to distinguish himself with a rich blend of academic, professional, and activist credentials.
General Boyloaf holds a Bachelor’s degree (First Class) in International Relations and Diplomacy and Master’s degree with Distinction on Intelligence and Global Security.
To his credit, he has acquired numerous certifications in International Security and Conflict Resolution, underscoring his expertise in these critical areas.
Chief Victor-Ben’s prominence extends beyond academia into significant political and social arenas.
He served as the Secretary, Special Duties for a Committee in the Asiwaju-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2022/2023 election cycle.
Recall that A key chapter in Chief Victor-Ben’s life is his role as a co-founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
Through this movement, he advocated for the rights and development of the Niger Delta region, which has long been plagued by underdevelopment and environmental degradation despite being rich in natural resources.
In 2009, he teamed up with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to establish the Presidential Amnesty Programme, an initiative aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating former militants into society, promoting peace and stability in the region.
He was the first major ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta to publicly endorse the Presidential Amnesty. He set a precedent by ordering thousands of his followers to disarm and embrace the Presidential Amnesty, significantly contributing to the peace process.
His actions were pivotal in reducing armed conflict and fostering a more secure environment in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Known as the Master and Commander of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Guinea, a formidable war machine as described by thousands of his followers across the Niger Delta region, Chief Victor-Ben has in recent years dedicated his efforts to combating crude oil and gas theft, a menace that severely undermines Nigeria’s economy.