The First Lady of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu on Friday received one of the 277 Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by Boko Haram in 2014, Rebecca Kabu.
The reception which took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had in attendance, the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima.
Mrs Tinubu in her speech promised to provide all necessary support for Rebecca to become reintegrated into the society.
“Rebecca will be our first comeback story and returnee; she is our first fruit; she is a case I am quite interested in to see that she can go back to school at her own pace.
“Cases of amnesia should be treated; it is difficult to get by, but since you are still here, God has plans for you.”
The first lady who pledged that the remaining girls in captivity are not forgotten, appreciated the office of the National Security Adviser, the National Intelligence Agency, other security agencies and those involved in Rebecca’s rescue.
“Earlier, I talked to the NSA representative about cases of alternative high school where girls like Rebecca can go back and learn at their pace, because education is important for her and others.
“They need education as tool for the market place, to be able to understand and manage the inheritance and legacies that shall be handed to them.”
The chibok girls are a group of more than 200 schoolgirls who were abducted by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, Nigeria, in 2014.
The incident caused a global outcry and a movement for their liberation.
After nine years, some of the girls have been freed, but many are still in captivity or suffering from the aftermath of their ordeal.
The Nigerian government reached agreements with the radicals which led to the freedom of 103 girls between 2016 and 2018.
These girls were given special attention by the authorities, such as medical and psychological help, education, and scholarships.
They also met with international leaders, media teams, and were praised as icons of courage and optimism.
However, not all the rescued girls have had the same benefits.
Some of them fled or were saved by the military in the Sambisa forest, a notorious stronghold for Boko Haram.
These girls came back home with children born in captivity and faced prejudice and rejection from their communities.
They also got little or no assistance from the government and had difficulties continuing their education and livelihoods.
The government and its partners need to ensure all the rescued Chibok girls, as well as other victims of abduction and abuse, receive sufficient and regular support to restore their lives and pursue their dreams.