he wish to but cannot promise that he can find the Chibok girls when
he take over office on May 29.
However, he assured parents of the over 200 missing chibok girls that
his government will do everything in its power to bring them home
>Photo: IVORY COAST, Abidjan : A woman holds a sign to call for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram militants on May 19, 2014 during a sit-in organised by Human Rights organisations in Abidjan. The "#bringbackourgirls" slogan has become a huge global phenomenon following the abductions Nigerian girls by Boko Harm AFP PHOTO
"We do not know if the Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts
remain unknown. As much as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can
find them.
But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children
that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them
home," he said in a statement to mark the first anniversary of the
abducted girls.
It will be recalled that Monday marked the first year since the 276
girls were kidnapped by the members of boko haram from their school in
Chibok, Borno State.
The President-Elect in a statement from Daura, Katsina State from his
first day of his administration, boko haram would be met with the
collective will of the Nigerian people.
The statement read thus: "Today we remember the kidnapping of 276
girls from a school in Chibok one year ago. This crime has rightly
caused outrage both in Nigeria and across the world.
"Today is a time to reflect on the pain and suffering of the victims,
their friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers, and that of the
whole Nigerian Nation, are with you today.
"I want to assure all of them, and particularly the parents, that when
my new Administration takes office at the end of May, we will do
everything we can to defeat Boko Haram. We will act differently from
the Government we replace: we hear the anguish of our citizens and
intend to respond accordingly.
"This new approach must also begin with honesty. We do not know if the
Chibok girls can be rescued. Their whereabouts remain unknown. As much
as I wish to, I cannot promise that we can find them.
But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children
that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home.
"What I can pledge, with absolute certainty, is that starting on the
first day of my Administration Boko Haram will know the strength of
our collective will and commitment to rid this nation of terror, and
bring back peace and normalcy to all the affected areas.
"Boko Haram" means "Western Education is Sinful". When they are
defeated militarily, as they will be, we will ensure our citizens in
the affected areas have improved educational opportunities as a direct
counterbalance to Boko Haram's twisted ideology. In particular we will
educate ever more young girls ensuring they are empowered as citizens
of Nigeria.
"Let us use this anniversary to remind each other that the attack on
Chibok was an attack on the dreams and aspirations of our young
people.
"We stand united in our pledge to resist terror in Nigeria- not just
through military means but also through the power of opportunity and
the hope of a better future for all".
--Vanguard
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