By Umar Dankano, Yola.
Following their graduation from an intensive vocational skills acquisition training, the Federal government has distributed starter packs and grant worth N128.2 M for entrepreneurship to eighte en(18) rescued and trained chibok girls.
Recall that, over two hundred Chibok school girls were abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents from their school in a midnight attack on the Government Girls Secondary school Chibok of Borno state in 2014 which attracted global attention, condemnations and call for quick action to save them unconditionally from their abductors.
Many of the school girls were rescued by the Military troops and are being rehabilitated under the Federal government’s rehabilitation and empowerment program through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in which were admitted in to American University of Nigeria,AUN Yola and some have already graduated.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 18 Chibok rescued girls held at the Centre of Consultancy Services Modibbo Adama University Yola at the Weekend, Minister of the Ministry, Women Affairs and Social Development,Ima’an Suleiman Ibrahim expressed her gratitude for the accomplishment of the graduating girls.
Ibrahim explained that 14 of girls were trained in tailoring while four in catering services and are being supported with one million naira each stressing that, another set of 33 of the girls would also resume vocational skills acquisition training and each would access a million Naira as grant for business once they graduate with starter parks.
Ibrahim who was noticed visibly elated announced also that,12 Chibok girls who graduated at American University of Nigeria (AUN) Yola, class of 2026 would also receive a million naira each for entrepreneurship grant.
“The 21 currently in AUN will graduate in 2027 also to receive a million naira each for entrepreneurship grant once they graduate.
“Their parents, 221 of them will be given N200,000 each, eight deep freezer, 10 swing machines and three industrial machines to support them prosper.
“We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate, and prosper”, she said.
However , the Minister called on the girls not to allow anyone to define them by what happened to them 12 years back.
“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event.
“From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity, and your contributions”, she stressed.
In her remarks, Ambassador Abimbola Wonosikou, Director, National Counter Terrorism Centre(NCTC). Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA. said that the ceremony was a tragedy related eventuality to a transformative journey in the girls history.
Wonosikou emphasized that the girls shouldn’t see themselves as victims but change agents with the knowledge they have acquired noting that the skills impacted on them should serve as tools in moving their communities forward to achieving greatness with their contributions.
Adamawa state Commissioner, Women Affairs Ministry, Neido Kofulto in her speech said that the training would help the beneficiaries to be productive and self independent urging them to apply the skills acquired in practical terms for success in the near future.
In their separate remarks, a beneficiary who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, Risikatu Solomon and Yakubu Nkeki , the Chairman of the Chibok Girls’ Parents Association expressed gratitude to the federal government for the intervention.
