President Yar’Adua said further “…This independence anniversary gift you have given me I cherish very much because of all those things I cherish one of them is peace and security in the Niger Delta.

Tom who had earlier asked for the withdrawal of the Joint Task Force (JTF) from their region as a condition for surrendering on Thursday dropped the ultimatum and surrendered.

Nigeria’s President earlier declared a 60 days amnesty offer for militants who lay down their arms, the process was later extended. Several militants have surrendered whiles some are still reluctant to do so barely less than a week before the offer expires. The government has ruled out any further extension and also warned that they will deal ruthlessly with those that fail to lay down their arms after the deadline.

Ateke surrenders coincide with the country’s 49th Independence anniversary celebration. The President described Ateke’s surrenders as his Independence anniversary gift. He was received in state house in Abuja and taken to the presidential villa were he had an audience with the president.

"Today, Chief Tom Ateke you have given me my 49th independence anniversary gift and I cherish it so much," the President said whiles urging those who have not surrender to do so. He said further “…This independence anniversary gift you have given me I cherish very much because of all those things I cherish one of them is peace and security in the Niger Delta.

The President said according to This Day newspaper that "It has always pained me to see our brothers and sisters in Nigeria taking up arms against fellow Nigerians and ready to live in the creeks under very difficult situations and conditions because of such issues that agitated their mind. But by the grace of God and the kind heart and goodwill you have brought to this amnesty programme, this is coming to an end.”

He continued "I want to commend you and members of your delegation and to thank you very much. You may not know what you are doing for your people and the nation now, it will become evident in the future.

Yardua said "Continue with the peace and security in the Niger Delta region. In a few years, five year or so, you will see the kind of development that will take place, then you will thank God that you decided to take advantage of this amnesty so that together we will join hands to work diligently for the welfare and wellbeing of our people.

He maintains that "This administration understands the challenges of the Niger Delta region and the challenges people are facing and that is why from the beginning I made Niger Delta a top priority in our seven-point agenda. I want to say that the amnesty is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

“It is a means to peacefully and lovingly with brotherly understanding bring to an end all insurrection and misunderstanding between brothers. It is a means to bringing stable peace and security to the Niger Delta region. It is a means of making the two of us work together to ensure that our youths do not take up arms again.”