Aisha Buhari Visits Freed 82 Chibok Girls

The wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has asked the 82 recently released Chibok girls to try and put behind them their ordeal and look forward to a brighter future with education on their mind.

Mrs Buhari was speaking when she met with the girls at a location in Abuja and had a talk with them.

She told the girls that it was the strong prayers of the nation had kept them and believed that the remaining 113 girls still in captivity would soon be released.

“When you were away, we cried and prayed with your parents for your safe return,” she said.

“It gladdens my heart that after years of hoping, crying and praying, 82 of our Chibok daughters are out of captivity. I am still hopeful that the rest of the abducted girls will also return safe and sound,” she said.

Mrs Buhari further advised the girls that apart from their education they should also consider learning a trade to further empower them in the future as no knowledge is lost.

She enlightened them on all the efforts that had been put into negotiating their release as well as the meetings that she personally held with their parents and also the money raised during her book launch which was given to their parents to ease the pain.

The wife of the president was accompanied by the wife of the vice president, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, wives of the governors of Zamfara State, Mrs Asmau Yari; Kogi State, Mrs Rashidat Bello; Bauchi State, Mrs Hadiza Abubakar; Nasarawa State, Mrs Mairo Al Makura and that of Sokoto State, Mrs Mairo Tambuwal.

The President’s wife also praised all the agencies and individuals that were involved in the release of the girls.

 

On her part, Mrs Osinbajo, expressed her happiness for the safe return of the girls.

Senator Jummai Alhassan, the Women’s Affairs minister, said that the girls would be reintegrated back to the society after they had undergone psycho-therapy.

Alhassan also said that the government made provision for skill acquisition for the girls to enable them earn a decent living.

The minister thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his serious commitment towards the recovery of the girls.

Earlier, the minister for information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had told the girls that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari would not relent until all the remaining girls had been located and brought back home.

Alhaji Mohammed said: “What is paramount to us is the release of the remaining girls”.

The minister also assured the girls that in a matter of days, they would be reunited with their families.

“We will take care of you physically and psychologically,” he said.

Mrs Anne Okoroafor, in whose care and guidance the girls are, informed Mrs Buhari that medical intervention for the girls has begun and physiotherapy, psychological analysis and surgical intervention is on for the affected ones

All the girls were later presented gifts by Mrs Buhari.

Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Miss Rhoda Chibok, thanked the federal government for ensuring their safe return and appealed for the rescue of all Nigerians held in captivity by the insurgents.