Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has released 25 tons of rice
and N5.6 million to parents of 112 Chibok girls to mark sixth year
anniversary of abduction.
The girls were kidnapped from Government Secondary School, Chibok by
Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.
Governor’s Spokesman, Isa Gusau Wednesday in Maiduguri disclosed that
a delegation of three commissioners of education, women affairs and
poverty alleviation; and a lawmaker representing Chibok constituency;
presented food and cash donations to support agonizing parents.
According to him, 250 gallons of cooking oil were also delivered by
the four-member delegation of governor.
After the presentation, they also delivered Zulum’s message of
empathy, hope and assurance on their missing daughters, six years
after their abduction; while writing West African Secondary School
Certificate examination.
Even though the insurgents held 219 abducted girls, 107 escaped and
released with 112 of them still held in Boko Haram captivity.
“Most of the parents are subsistence farmers, whose productivity has
been halted by continous agony for over five years,” he noted.
On release of remaining girls, he said: “Rescue efforts and largely
mediated negotiations between the Buhari administration and the
insurgents have led to the release of 107 girls.
“The releases of girls; include one in May 2016; 21 in October, 2016
and 82 in January 2017, leaving 112 still missing,” he said.
The commissioner of education, Alhaji Bello Ayuba, told parents and
community members at Chibok, that being fathers of female children,
President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Zulum will never give up on
the rescue of remaining schoolgirls.
His words: “Governor Zulum, asked us to inform you that in all his
meetings with President Buhari, the President has consistently showed
concern and commitment to rescue other missing girls.
“President Muhammadu Buhari and Zulu, 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.”
According to him, the Governor holds Chibok very dear to his heart.
Commissioner of Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo and that of poverty
alleviation, Nuhu Clark, who hails from Chibok, also took turns to
support and raise the spirits of parents.
Zulum has demonstrated empathy- parents say
Parents of the 112 missing schoolgirls have lauded the governor for
his compassion towards the parents.
Yakubu Keke, who spoke on their behalf, said Zulum’s interest in the
development of Chibok and the rest of Borno is clear.
He said the parents are grateful to Governor’s show of concern, urging
him and the President to remain determined in trying to rescue the
missing girls.
