April 14, 2019 marked the fifth year anniversary of the abduction of 276 Nigerian School Girls from the Government Secretary School Chibok, Borno State.
All efforts by previous governments at both Federal and State, including concerned individuals and organizations to secure the release of the school girls proved abortive, until the coming of the present administration. On May 18, 2016, having been in captivity for two years, the present government of President Muhammadu Buhahi rescued one of the adducted girls, Amina Darsha Nkeki, with her four month old baby girl.
This feat was repeated, seven months later when the Federal Government secured the release of 21 other Chibok girls on October 13, 2016. Maryam Ali Maiyanga, one of the abducted Chibok girls and her baby boy rescued on January 5th, 2017.
The rescue of 82 Chibok girls on May 7th 2017 crowned the effort of the present government in its resolve to protect and secure lives and property of Nigerians.
It is in appreciation of the Federal Government, effort to secure the release of all abducted girls that the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, wishes to use the occasion of the 5th Year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls to throw more light on Federal Government’s relentless effort to secure the release of all kidnapped persons, and to also, provide succor to the released victims.
The succor provided by government since the release of some of the Chibok girls include; provision of rehabilitation and re-integration facilities, provision of shelter, security and medical support. Others include facilitation of psycho- social therapy, religious instruction, education, vocational training, skills acquisition, ICT skills and sports.
The government has also provided a remedial programme which involves the teaching of English, Mathematics, Biology, Agriculture and Civil Education. This is to help the girls refresh and improve on their knowledge base.
There is also an ICT segment of the rehabilitation programme. The ICT training is to expose the girls to ICT training so that they can acquire skills and resources that will make them global citizens.
While the psycho-social, religious and physical wellbeing is to help the girls to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder. For example; pastors and imams have been hired to give the girls religious instructions in order to enhance their religious belief and spiritual well-being.
The government have also provided two medical doctors and two nurses as well as two equipped mini clinic to cater for the medical needs of the rescued girls.
We have provided two sports instructors to drill and teach the girls different sports and provide recreation for them, three days a week.
On vocational training, the girls are teen taught tailoring, bead-making, hair dressing, catering, cosmetology and knitting. This is to equip them with skills for productive enterprises.
Government have also provided day care facilities for the rescued girls who have children. This will provide for the children while the mothers face the studies.
The Honourable Minister is using this occasion to extend her heart felt gratitude to the United Nations Organisations for their effort at securing and providing relief material for the rescued girls. The gratitude is also extended to other philanthropists that have provided various forms of support for the well-being of the girls and their families.
Hajiya Aisha Abubakar also thanks the different organisations and groups; most especially the Chibok Development Association for their concern and providing international pressure for the release of the Chibok girls.
The Women Affairs Minister extends the appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the parents and relations of the abducted girls for their understanding throughout the dark and trying period.
The Federal Government of Nigeria under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not relent on its effort to secure the safe release of the remaining girls and indeed all abducted girls nationwide.
Aisha Abubakar Hon. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development.
