Six Years of Chibok Girls’ Abduction: Borno distributes N5.6m, food to parents
SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Governor Babagama Zulum of Borno State on Tuesday presented cash worth N5.6 million to parents of the abducted Chibok Schoolgirls.
A delegation sent by the governor also presented food items to the families, which included 500 bags of rice (25kg) and 250 gallons of cooking oil.
According to a statement made available to NATIONAL ACCORD, the gifts were parts of the state government’s social support on the occasion of six years of abduction of the Schoolgirls in Chibok town.
Boko Haram insurgents had on April 14, 2014, attacked Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State and abducted over 200 schoolgirls from their hostels. At that time, the school girls were about to write their West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WAEC).
Out of a total of the 219 schoolgirls reportedly abducted and held in captivity by the insurgents, 107 of the girls had so far regained freedom owing to various rescue efforts and largely, mediated negotiations between President Buhari’s administration and the Boko Haram insurgent.
Yesterday, a members of delegation which included the State Commissioners of Education, Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation and the member, representing Chibok LGC Constituency at the Borno State House Assembly, delivered Governor Zulum’s warmed message of empathy, hope and assurance to the Chibok schoolgirls’ parents.
The State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Bello Ayuba who led the delegation assured the parents and members of the community that President Muhammadu Buhari and the governor will never give up on the rescue of the remaining abducted schoolgirls.
“Governor Zulum has asked us to inform you that in all his meetings with President Buhari, the President has consistently shown concern and commitment to the rescue of the missing girls.
“The President and the Governor are fathers, with daughters. They know how you feel and they share your pains. They will never give up on the rescue of our daughters. No sane parent will give up on a missing child. They are committed and by the grace of God, these girls will be rescued alive.
“The Governor sends his empathy, and as you all have seen in his activities and visits to Chibok, the Governor holds Chibok very dear to his heart. Let us remain hopeful and prayerful, while our leaders sustain their concerted efforts”, Ayuba said.
While the State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambi and that of Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Nuhu Clark who hails from Chibok LGA took turns to support and encourage the parents in their speeches
Meanwhile, about 110 abducted Chibok Schoolgirls are still in the hand of the Boko Haram Insurgents while NGOs, federal and the state governments are making frantic efforts to ensure their release.