BY BIMPE ADEYEMI
MINISTER of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has reassured parents of the yet-to-be-freed Chibok girls, who were abducted seven years ago, that the Federal Government is doing everything to ensure their release as soon as possible.
While reiterating that half of the Chibok girls had been rescued, reunited with their families and resumed their education, she said the Federal Government would continue working to bring back those left behind, including Leah Sharibu.
The minister said, contrary to insinuations that those in charge of the affairs of the country had abandoned the girls, work was ongoing to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.
“Let me assure the parents of the Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu and other abductees, that this government has not forgotten you. We have heard your demands and the responsible ministries and agencies will respond on behalf of the government,” she said in a statement on Wednesday, signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Ikem Anibe.
The statement said, “The minister made the remark while remembering the sad incident of the abduction of hundreds of girls from Chibok Local Government Area in Borno State.
“Umar Farouq stated that she was deeply grieved by the occurrence and prayed that the remaining victims will be reunited with their families soon.
“As the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, it grieves me to have to mark this 7th anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls.
“Our government came into power with a public mandate to control the insurgency in the North-East that led to the Chibok girls’ abduction and to fight the corruption that hampered the rescue effort.”
It added, “We have achieved a lot, but significant work remains for all levels of government. Half of the Chibok girls have been rescued and reunited with their families and have resumed their education. We will continue working to bring back those left behind.
“The minister noted that Local, State and Federal governments have improved on their response to attacks on schools and are working assiduously to prevent further occurrences.
“I cannot speak openly about the security strategies and measures, but I can assure you that government holds the safety and security of its citizens as a sacred duty. We are fighting a regional tide of criminality and violent extremism in partnership with others.”
“All our children deserve education. Our country needs them to be educated for our development. No one should have to choose between school and safety. We will employ all our efforts to give every Nigerian child the opportunity to rise out of poverty and attain their ambitions through education,” the minister noted.
