Chibok Girls – Women Groups Hold Rally In Lagos, Hail Buhari

Sequel to last week’s rescue of 21 Chiboks
girls from the captivity of the Boko Haram
sect, women from different walks of life on
Friday, staged a solidarity rally in Lagos, to
commend President Muhammadu Buhari-led
administration.
Gathering under the aegis of African Arise For
Change Network, the women staged the
peaceful protest around Ikeja axis before
marching to office of the Lagos State
Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to drop a
letter of commendation for President Buhari.
Brandishing placards with inscriptions
like ”Nigerian Women celebrate return of
Chibok Girls, ‘Thank You Mr. President And
Our Gallant Military’, ”
Her Excellency Aisha Buhari remains a pillar
of support in every sense to the IDPs and true
to return of Chibok Girls,” the women said it
is backing the administration’s efforts in
rescuing the remaining Chibok Girls still held
in captivity by the Boko Haram terrorists sect.
Speaking on behalf of the groups at the
Government House, the Lagos Coordinator of
the coalition, Mrs. Oluwatosin Bolarinwa, said
the African Arise for Change Network is happy
to receive the news that 21 of the abducted
Chibok Girls that have been released from
Boko Haram’s captivity following talks
initiated by the Federal Government.
Bolarinwa said, “We can only imagine the
emotions of the parents whose children have
been returned bringing an end to months of
harrowing experience for the families of these
girls that have been freed.
“We celebrate with these families even as we
acknowledge that there are uncertain times
ahead as they work with the government to
rehabilitate these young ones. The days and
months ahead may be testing but we hope for
a positive outcome in the reintegration of the
girls in the firm belief that the harder part of
their ordeal is over.
“We emphasise that no one, should have to
live through that harrowing experience
whether as the hostage, parents or family
members.
We are however confident that positive
stories will spring from what was once a blot
on the conscience of this nation. “We
therefore commend the Federal Government,
ably led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
His administration has turned around what
many Nigerians had given up hope about. Not
a few people had said the girls were lost
forever but today the story is different.
Not only has the first batch of 21 been free,
we further have Mr. President’s assurances
that we will soon be receiving more of the
girls.”
They also lauded the Nigerian Army, and other
security agencies for their efforts agencies,
saying they were all instrumental in
decimating the Boko Haram insurgency to the
point where negotiation became possible.
“ Our particular respect to the families and
loved ones of those who paid the supreme
price in the course of fighting terrorism to
ensure these girls regain their freedom.
“Our rally today is for no other reason than to
say thank you to Mr. President, you promised
to bring the girls back and some of us were
already losing hope when it was taking time
but today we are beginning to see the
wisdom of focusing on getting the girls out
safely as opposed to applying brute force.”
Receiving the women at the Lagos House,
Ikeja, the Special Assistant to the Governor
on Civic Engagement, Mr. Taiwo Ayedun, who
addressed the group, said the government of
Lagos State was elated that 21 Chibok Girls
were released, saying that the governor will
ensure that their letter is delivered to
President Muhammadu Buhari.