By Seyi Babalola
The Borno government on Tuesday, honoured the 11th anniversary of the kidnapping of schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok with a significant show of solidarity and support for their families.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno chaired the ceremony, which was held at the Chibok Local Government Area.
“This is not the first time the Borno State Government is reaching out. Since day one, successive administrations have supported Chibok.
“Under Governor Zulum, this commitment has been further strengthened. We will not give up until every missing girl is found,” Zulum who was represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo said.
The governor assured that the rescued girls were undergoing full rehabilitation and reintegration programmes designed to empower them academically and economically.
“A total of ₦10 million in financial assistance and food items were distributed to the parents of the 276 abducted girls as part of the government’s continued support for the affected families.” he said.
The council Chairman of Chibok, Mustapha Modu, member of the State House of Assembly, Pogu Lawan representing Chibok, and the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hauwa Mai Musa also expressed appreciation to Borno government for the gesture.
According to reports, the girls were abducted on April 14, 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents, an incident that drew global outrage.
So far, 189 have been rescued, with 18 currently under the care of the state government, receiving psychosocial support, vocational training, and academic tutorials in preparation to retake their WAEC examinations.