President Muhammadu Buhari has approved payment of N164.8m for the second semester school fees for the freed 106 Chibok girls currently schooling in the American University of Nigeria, AUN, Yola.
AUN is owned by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed this in a statement issued on Sunday.
This is just as he renewed Buhari’s commitment to ensure that all the Chibok girls still held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists are returned to their parents safely.
“In line with, the President has approved payment of the sum of N164,763,759 (one hundred and sixty four million, seven hundred and sixty-three naira) for the second semester school fees of the 106 Chibok girls at the American University of Nigeria, AUN in Yola,” the statement read.
“Absorption of the 106 girls into the school marked the beginning of their integration into the larger Nigerian society, thus fulfilling President Buhari’s promise of providing the best education for them. Although they have been officially handed over to their parents. The Federal Government will continue to be responsible for the payment of the Chibok girls’ school fees right up to their graduation from the school,” Shehu further noted.
The President also restated his resolve to protect the lives of all Nigerians and end the insurgency in the northeast of the country in fulfillment of the campaign promises.
The Labour Party, LP, has unleashed a damning verdict on the country’s politics and the fight against terrorism by claiming the Chibok schoolgirls were never kidnapped by Boko Haram Jihadists but were used to dent the image of former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
In a shocking statement Tuesday, LP, which has been known to be close to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said the ‘wrath of God’ will be visited on those who manipulated Nigerians with the staged kidnapping.
According to the National Chairman of the party, Abdulkadir Abdulsalami, there’s nothing to celebrate in the release of the girls, Vanguard writes.
“The All Progressives Congress, APC-led government should not claim credit for what was packaged and pre-arranged,” he said.
“If they claimed to have captured Sambisa Forest, from which other forest will they say they have brought the girls recently released? I think Nigerians need to be told the truth by our leaders, if they want sympathy from Almighty God.
“When we get to May 29 next year, they will release all the remaining girls. But the fact of the matter, as I have been saying during and after the campaign for the 2015 elections, is that these Chibok girls were not kidnapped by any Boko Haram.
“They were prepared and arranged to destroy the image and administration of Goodluck Jonathan.”
There has been a back and forth between the ruling APC and members of the opposition following the release of 82 Chibok girls earlier this month.
While President Muhammadu Buhari said it was his second-anniversary gift to Nigerians, his critics claim it was the plan all along, a position many say are backed by the intrigues surrounding the girls’ release.
And the recent stand by Labour Party will only stoke the fires of debate, leaving Nigerians, and the world to wonder what really transpired with the Chibok girls.
The man behind the release of all 82 women captured by militant Islamist group Boko Haram has declared that none of the released girls were defiled nor touched by the dreaded terrorist group. Only After The Girls “AGREED” To Marry Them
Zannah Mustapha speaking to BBC’s Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani in an interview revealed that it was only after the women “agreed” to get married that the militants had s*xual relations with them and that before the kidnapping of Chibok girls government and his organisation was already trying to negotiate peace with Boko Haram.
The 57-year-old Mustapha said when he arrived for the handover of the 82 Chibok girls freed from Boko Haram after three years in captivity, a militant read out the girls’ names from a list. One by one, the abducted schoolgirls, now women, lined up along the outskirts of a forest near Kumshe town, on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Each of them was covered from head to ankle in a dark-coloured hijab.
“I went ahead of the Red Cross. They [the militants] brought the girls to me,” said Mr Mustapha, the lawyer from Borno state in north-east Nigeria. He has been mediating between the government and militants for the release of the Chibok girls and for an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.
In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari told the media that his government was willing to negotiate with “credible” leaders of Boko Haram for the release of the girls. More than 200 of them were abducted a year earlier from the north-eastern town of Chibok, sparking global outrage.
Previous attempts had failed, with different groups coming forward, each claiming to be the militants in possession of the missing schoolgirls. It was Mr Mustapha who succeeded in convincing the Nigerian authorities that this particular group should be taken for what they say, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu told me.
“He had dealt with them in the past and they keep to their word,” he said. Mr Mustapha’s role as a mediator dates back to his founding the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School in 2007, to provide free Islamic-based education to orphans and the poor. When the Boko Haram insurgency erupted in 2009, the school offered admission to the children of soldiers and government officials killed by the militants, as well as those of militants killed by the state.
Mr Mustapha then sought the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which began providing free meals to the pupils. He also encouraged parents to form an association which would reach out to other widows and convince them to send their children to his school. The ICRC soon extended its humanitarian services to the mothers, providing them free food and other items every month.
“This was at a time when the wives of Boko Haram militants were being arrested and their houses demolished, so Boko Haram saw me and the ICRC as neutral parties,” Mr Mustapha said.
During the previous government of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited Maiduguri, the epicentre of the insurgency, to intervene in the escalating crisis. He then set up a group to discuss peace with Boko Haram. Mr Mustapha was included in it because of the relationship he had forged with the families of Boko Haram militants. After the Swiss ambassador to Nigeria paid a visit to the Future Prowess school in 2012, he arranged for Mr Mustapha to go to Zurich and Geneva to receive formal training as a mediator.
“We were already trying to negotiate peace with Boko Haram before the Chibok girls were kidnapped,” Mr Mustapha said. The initial negotiation was for a batch of 20 Chibok girls to be released. But, as a sign of commitment to their relationship, Boko Haram added an extra woman, whom Mr Mustapha said was their gift to him, hence the number 21.
When they were released in October 2016, she was chosen by Boko Haram to read out the names of the other 20 women from a list. Mr Mustapha said the 21 women were lined up and asked by Boko Haram militants if they had been defiled.
They all said they were not. When a militant approached a woman who was carrying a baby, she said that she was pregnant at the time of her abduction, having got married a few weeks earlier.
The baby girl in her arms, she said, was her husband’s child. For some reason, Boko Haram, a group that has cultivated a reputation for brutality, wanted it to be known that it was only after the women “agreed” to get married that the militants had s*xual relations with them. This process of lining up the women, pointing at each one and asking the same question, was repeated at the beginning of May when 82 more women were released. One of about seven Boko Haram militants, who accompanied them, went from woman to woman asking: “Throughout the time you were with us, did anyone r*pe you or touch you?” Mr Mustapha said, adding that each of them replied in the negative. None of the second batch of 82 captives came with a child.
But one had an amputated limb and was walking with crutches, an injury she sustained, according to what Mr Mustapha was told, during Nigerian military air strikes against Boko Haram. ‘They all ran’ “You are free today,” Mr Mustapha announced to the 82 women after all the names were called out. “They all smiled,” he said.
He believes that their subdued reaction was as a result of the presence of the militants, all armed with guns, some wearing army camouflage uniforms and boots. Mr Mustapha then took some photographs with the women. The militants also had their video camera on hand and recorded the event. ICRC vehicles eventually arrived. “When I told them to go to the cars, they all ran,” Mr Mustapha said. “Immediately they entered the vehicles, they started singing for joy. Some shed tears.”
Mr Mustapha has received a number of accolades for his work with Future Prowess School. He was a finalist for the 2016 Robert Burns humanitarian award, given to those who have “saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through self-sacrifice, selfless service, hands-on charitable or volunteer work, or other acts”. He was also given a 2017 Aurora Prize Modern Day Hero award, for those whose “life and actions guarantee the safe existence of others”. However, he described handing over the 82 freed girls to the Nigerian government as “the highest point in my life”.
“I felt that I have done something that is worth saying to the world that I have done this,” he said.
The first and second batches of the freed Chibok schoolgirls have been reunited by the Federal Government. 21 of the abducted school girls were released by Boko Haram in October 2016 while another 82 regained their freedom two weeks ago.
Both batches of girls were freed by Boko Haram in a swap deal with the Federal Government.
The reunion took place on Saturday in Abuja where the girls have been kept by the government since their release.
The girls are part of the 276 girls abducted by the insurgents from Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State in 2014.
Source
Punch Metro
Both batches of girls were freed by Boko Haram in a swap deal with the Federal Government.
The reunion took place on Saturday in Abuja where the girls have been kept by the government since their release.
The girls are part of the 276 girls abducted by the insurgents from Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State in 2014.
Source
Punch Metro
The extremist Boko Haram sect on Friday released a new video appearing to show some abducted Chibok girls explaining why they would prefer to remain in the custody of the terrorist sect rather than return to their families.
A negotiator who facilitated the recent release of 82 of the girls had said some of the abductees were reluctant to be freed.
In the video, uploaded to YouTube by Sahara Reporters, one of the girls, clutching an AK47 rifle, responded to questions from a man believed to be a Boko Haram commander. Other girls were seen sitting around her.
Below is a trancript of the question-and-answer session between the commander and the girl.
Male voice:
These are some of the Chibok girls who said they are not going back to their parents they prefer to stay back and practice God’s religion. We will now ask them why they are refusing to return.
Q & A
Q: What is your name?
A: My name is Maida Yakubu
Q: Where are you from?
A: From Chibok
Q: What are your parents names?
A: My mother’s name is Esther Mutari and my father’s name is Yakubu Kaba
Q: what is the name of your school?
A: GDSS Chibok
Q: Why did you refuse to return to your parents?
A: Because they are in town of infidels, we want them to accept Islam and join us to practice the religion and rest in the hereafter
Q: What is the truth about the allegation that you are married off by force, is that true?
A: It is not true, only those who agreed to marry are married off
Q: What message do you have for your parents
A: My message to them is for them to accept Islam and practice the religion of God.
Q: What message do you have for the people of Nigeria?
A: I call on all Nigerians to leave any book that is not from God and follow the Holy book and sayings of the prophet. God’s religion will continue to prosper whether you like it or not, if you refuse, you will die in frustration.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Jummai Alhassan said tests conducted on the 82 by Chibok girls that were freed on Saturday show that some of them need to undergo surgery
The minister disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, on Thursday, May 11. The 82 girls, who are part of the 276 girls abducted by Boko Haram from Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State in 2014, were released five days ago after three years in captivity.
"The 82 Chibok girls are currently undergoing medical screening in Abuja. Some of them need surgery… this should be completed in two to three weeks." Mrs Alhassan said.
The minister denied reports that the Federal Government has refused to grant parents of the girls and the 21 others released in October 2016 by Boko Haram access them.
She said pictures of the 82 girls released on Saturday had been sent to their parents for identification, while parents of those released earlier had full access to them.
Mrs Alhassan also said that contrary to reports that the government had prevented the girls released earlier from going back home, the reality was that they were scared of going back to Chibok.
"We had a meeting with the parents of the 21 girls and the girls themselves and they all asked the Federal Government to send them to school and take care of them. Most of them are scared of returning to Chibok because of their experiences," she said.
"But to show you that parents have access to their daughters, some parents just left the facility where the girls were kept three weeks ago after visiting the girls. One of the girls, who is married, is at present in Chibok, visiting the town with her husband and his family."
This is a pleasant 2nd anniversary gift to the people of Nigeria. I cannot express in a few words how happy I am to welcome our dear girls back to freedom.
On behalf of all Nigerians, I will like to share my joy with you, your parents, your relatives, friends and Government of Borno State on regaining your freedom.
The Federal Government will like to commend the Security Agencies, the Red Cross, local authorities, local and foreign NGOs and all those who contributed in one way or another to secure the release of our Chibok Girls.
Let me reassure Nigerians, especially relatives and friends of the remaining girls that the Federal Government will spare no effort to see that they and all other Nigerians who have been abducted safely regain their freedom.
Finally, I am very pleased to have personally met you and let me assure you that the Presidency will personally supervise the performance of those entrusted with your welfare and commitments made by the Federal Government on your health, education, security and general well-being.
No human being should go through this kind of ordeal. The security agencies and state governments should continue to provide special protection to educational institutions vulnerable to this kind of outrage especially in remote areas.
This administration is resolutely determined to safeguard the security of all Nigerians at all times.
Once again, I congratulate you and your parents on your safe return.
Colossus Gists has obtained the full list of the 82 Chibok girls freed by the Boko Haram on Saturday. The girls were freed as part of a prisoner swap that also led to the release of some Boko Haram “suspects” by the Nigerian government.
On Sunday, the girls arrived Abuja where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
See list below:
1. Kwatah Simon
2 Grace Dauda
3. Jummai Paul
4. Tabita Pogo
5. Yanke Shetima
6. Jummai Mutah
7. Juliana Yakubu
8. Mary Yakubu
9. Ruth Kolo
10. Marianwa Yahaya
11. Rachel Nkeke
12, Fibi Haruna
13. Asabe Manu
14. Esther Usman
15. Filo Dauda
16. Awa Abga
17..Lydia Joshua
18. Naomi Bitrus
19/ Martha James
20. Fatimata Musa
21. Aisha Ezekiel
22. Awu Yerima
23. Mwada Baba
23. Hannatu Ishaku
24. Rifkatu Soloman
25. Maryamu Yakubu
28 Rebecca Joseph
29. Laid Audu
30 Amina Pogu
31 Sarah Nkeki
32. Esther Joshuwa
33, Saraya Yanga
34. Ruth Amos
35. Hauwa Musa
36. Hauwa Ishaya
37. Glory Aji
38. Mary Ali
39. Rahilla Bitrus
40. Luggwa Mutah
41. Lataba Maman
42. Lydia Habila
43. Deborah Peter
44. Naomi Yaga
45. Kwzigu Haman
46. Luggawa Samuel
47. Maryamu Lawan
48. Tabita Hellapa (Maryam Lawal)
49/ Ruth Ishaku
50. Maryamu Musa
51. Margret Yama
52. Kauna Luka
53. Salomi Titus
54. Naomi Yahona
55. Maimuna Usman
56. Grace Paul
57. Hauwa Ntakai
58. Yagana Joshua
59. Comfort Bulus
60. Ramatu Yaga
61. Rhoda Peter
62. Naomi Luka
63. Naomi Adamu
64. Liatu Habila
65. Victoria William
66. Ladi Ibrahim
67. Christiana Ali
68 Hannatu Stephen
69. Patina Tabji
70. Martha James
71. Tabita Sila
72. Yana Bukan
73. Abiie Bukar
74. Hadiza Yakubu
75. Naomi Zakariya
76. Maryama Wari
77. Amina Bulama
78. Asabe Lawan
79. Mary Dauda
80. Maryamu Balama
81. Naomi Philemon
82. Saratu Ayuba
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