Buhari Assures Freed Chibok Girls Of A Better Life

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that the rescued Chibok girls would be encouraged by the Federal Government to pursue their ambitions in life, according to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report.

The president, who stated this when he received the girls at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said ‘’it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies’’.

“Aside from rescuing them, we are assuming the responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life.
“Obviously, it is not late for the girls to go back to school and continue the pursuit of their studies.
“These dear daughters of ours have seen the worst that the world has to offer.
“It is now time for them to experience the best that the world can do for them.
“The Government and all Nigerians must encourage them to achieve their desired ambitions,’’ he said.

Buhari added that the girls would be given adequate and comprehensive medical, nutritional and psychological care and support.

He also assured that the Federal Government would rehabilitate them and ensure that “their reintegration back to the society is done as quickly as possible’’.

According to him, the release of the 21 girls followed a series of negotiations between government and the Boko Haram group, brokered by both local and International groups.

He said that the Nigerian Department of State Security, the Military and other security agencies had spared no effort towards the safe release of the girls.

“These 21 girls are the manifestation of our doggedness and commitments to the release and return of the Chibok girls,’’ he said.
The president expressed appreciation for the patience and understanding of the parents of all the abducted Chibok girls.

He equally thanked Nigerians and the International Community for their “support and prayers, and for never losing confidence in our ability to secure the safe release of our girls’’.
The president gave the assurance that the “remaining girls will be freed and returned to us without further delay’’.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who presented the girls to the president, narrated how some personalities, including his wife, Dolapo, bursted into tears the first day they saw the rescued girls, who were looking haggard.

Earlier, the Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area, Malam Ya’aga Yarakuwa, thanked the president, Gov. Shettima of Borno, security agencies and other Nigerians for their efforts in ensuring the release of the girls.

Yarakuwa also commended the wife of the president for donating N30 million for the upkeep of the parents of the abducted girls.
He stated that the parents had agreed to allow the Federal Government to provide security arrangements and other necessity of life to the girls.