by Ajadi Daniel
President Buhari yesterday received the 21 chibok girls who were released by Boko Haram last Thursday. He said though they have seen the worst, but now they would experience the best that the world could offer them.
The president received the girls and their parents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja; He promised that the Federal government would take responsibility for their personal, educational and professional goals and ambitions in life.
“My dear children. This is a happy moment for me and for all Nigerians. I welcome you back to freedom. It is a moment your parents, the Nation and the International Community have been eagerly waiting for, since your abduction on 14th April, 2014.
“We must from the onset, thank Almighty God for this day that 21 of the Chibok girls again breathed the air of freedom and are reunited with their parents. We are equally prayerful, that God in his infinite mercies and benevolence will see to it that the girls remaining in captivity will be freed and returned to us soonest.
The release of the 21 girls according to the President is a product of a series of negotiations between the government and the Boko Haram group, brokered by friends both local and international.
He added that, “Since this administration assumed office, we have been working towards the safe release of the girls. The Nigerian DSS, the military and the other security agencies have spared no effort to secure our girls
“These 21 girls are manifestation of our doggedness and commitments to the release and return of the Chibok girls
“While joining their parents to rejoice and praise the almighty, we shall redouble efforts to ensure that we fulfill our pledge of bringing the remaining girls back home.
“Already, the credible first step has been taken and government will sustain the effort until all the remaining girls return safely”
The president further stated that the girls would be adequately catered for, saying that the federal government would not only rehabilitate them, but would also ensure that their reintegration back to the society was done as quickly as possible.
He added that, “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
“The federal government appreciates the patience and understanding of the parents of all the abducted Chibok girls
Present at the reception was the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the federation, Babachir David Lawal, Senate leader, Ali Ndume, Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, and Education minister, Adamu Adamu, and National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno.