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We Starved For One Month -Chibok Girl …As B’Haram Gives Condition To Free 83 More

Published

9 years ago

October 17, 2016

The venue of the special church’s thanksgiving service, yesterday, was filled with emotions, tears and joy when parents reunited with 21 Chibok schoolgirls rescued from Boko Haram’s captivity.
The church service was organised by the Federal Government to thank God for the lives of the schoolgirls who were released last Thursday.
Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, who represented the Federal Government at the church service held at the Presidential Villa, yesterday, said, “this is a day the entire world has been waiting for; it is a day of joy.
Mohammed added that negotiations are underway for the release of the other Chibok girls in captivity, but warned Nigerians against unguarded statements that could truncate the rescue efforts.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Miss Gloria Dame, who was visibly happy as she jumped for joy, said, “we stayed for one month without food’’, adding, “I narrowly escaped bomb blast in the forest. I never knew there would be a day like this. I will give thanks to God’.
She begged Nigerians to pray for the quick release of the remaining girls in Boko Haram’s captivity.
Shiktra Kwali, in her sermon at the interdenominational service, urged the girls not to allow their harrowing experience to deter them from achieving their dreams.
The parents, who saw the girls for the first time in over 900 days since they were abducted from their Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, were full of joy.
Speaking, the parents of the freed Chibok girls thanked God, President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians for their efforts, support and prayers, towards their daughters’ freedom, and called for the release of the remaining girls.
It would be recalled that families of the girls had left Chibok in Borno State on Friday and arrived in Abuja on Saturday night, but were reunited with the girls at the church, yesterday.
No fewer than 276 of the girls were abducted, and 57 escaped within a week of their abduction.
They were abducted by Boko Haram on 14th April, 2014.
Two buses conveyed the parents from Chibok.
The Chairman of Chibok Girls Parents Association, Yakubu Nkenke, had said that the girls had eventually been identified by their parents.
The Chairman of Chibok Local Government, Mr. Yaya Yarakawa, confirmed the identification of all the girls, and said those doubting their authenticity “must have sinister motive’’.
He expressed satisfaction with the role played by the government.
“I am travelling to Abuja with all the parents of the freed girls, all of us are here. We are overwhelmed with joy that our girls have been found alive. I cannot talk more because we are approaching security check- points,” he said.
The release of the girls was made possible through a negotiation brokered by the International Red Cross with the support of Swiss government.
President Muhammadu Buhari had also promised the negotiation would continue for the release of those still in captivity.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, among others, attended the service.
Meanwhile, as negotiations for the expected next phase of the release of 83 Chibok girls begins this week, indications have emerged that the leadership of the Boko Haram sect might table two major conditions to be met by the Federal Government to seal the deal.
A source close to the negotiations said, yesterday, that unlike the 21 girls, who were freed by the sect, last Thursday, to test government’s level of commitment and sincerity, the release of the remaining girls may be based strictly on ransom payment and freedom for no fewer than 16 of Boko Haram commanders by the government.
The government, it was learnt, was eager to get the remaining 83 girls, reportedly held by a top leader of the sect in an undisclosed location in the North East.
Of the 219 girls still missing, a source said that only 104 were left in the captivity of the sect while the rest had long been married off by top commanders and converted to Islam.
“The truth is that those Chibok girls are now Boko Haram members, having married the sect members and become radicalised,” the source said.
“The remaining 83 girls are with a top leader of Boko Haram and those are the only ones we are going to work for their release in the next phase of our negotiations which starts immediately.
“The others had since become Boko Haram members, having been married off and radicalised into Boko Haram as soon as they were captured over two years ago”.
It was learnt that the body language of representatives of the sect, who are meeting with a Federal Government team, indicate that they might insist on payment upfront of huge cash by government before freeing the captives.
“I think the guys are settled on the idea that the cash must come ahead of the release since they had proved to government that they are reliable by releasing the 21 girls, last week, without many conditions attached”, the source stated.
Asked if the sect leaders were unsure of government’s sincerity to keep its own side of the bargain, the source said that the representatives of Boko Haram had also shown that they have confidence in government.
It was learnt that the lingering challenge in getting back all the girls arose from the fact that while some of them are with a faction loyal to Benawhi, the rest are being kept by the group loyal to Abubakar Shekau.
But one of the negotiators believed the remaining 83 girls would be freed, if a meaningful deal is struck between the sect and the Federal Government.
However, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has said that threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism in parts of Nigeria have not only stretched law enforcement agencies but have also exposed the gap in the nation’s capacity to deal with asymmetric warfare.
Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (CTC) in ONSA, Commodore Yem Musa, who stated this in at a one-day ‘Strategic Communication Analytical Technique Exercise’ in Abuja, said that violent extremist groups were more adapted to using strategic communication than government.
“Through this exercise, we will explore how strategic communication must be a first order capability in the armed forces, law enforcement and intelligence agencies as well as strategic MDAs of government”, Musa said.
Musa explained that the nature of asymmetric warfare and the liberalization of information access through the social media have made it imperative for any state actor serious about its national security to develop efficient and effective use of strategic communication.
He noted that the threat from terrorists, insurgent groups and other non-state actors in the country, has called for enhanced capacity and holistic measures to deal with the emerging security challenges.

Featured

RSG Commits To Workers’ Welfare …. Calls For Sustained Govt, Labour Partnership

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.

The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.

He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.

Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.

He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.

Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.

“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.

The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.

He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.

The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.

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Labour Unions In Rivers Call For Improved Standard Living For Workers

Published

3 days ago

May 2, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.

The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.

“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.

Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.

According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.

“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.

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Tinubu committed to unlocking Nigeria’s potential – Shettima

Published

3 days ago

May 1, 2025

The Tide

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.

Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.

He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.

The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.

“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.

” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”

He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.

According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.

Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.

“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”

The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.

” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.

The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.

Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.

” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.

“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”

Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.

“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.

“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.

Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.

The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.

He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.

He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.

Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.

He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.