The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development for Rehabilitation, Aisha Alhassan, has said the released Chibok girls would remain under government’s care until September when they would be reintegrated into school at the commencement of the new academic session
She said this on Tuesday (today) when the Department of State Services handed over the recently rescued 82 Chibok girls to the ministry.
The Minister said, “The girls will remain under government’s care until September when they would be reintegrated into school at the commencement of the new academic session.
“Government is only trying to ensure that they are well catered for. Nobody is holding the girls against their wish; these girls have gone through a lot and we need to help them to fit back into the society.
“They have missed a lot and we have brought teachers to help them to catch up with what they have lost while away under captivity; but anyone who wishes to go back is free to do so,” she said.
Earlier, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, represented by his Chief Personal Physician, Dr. Nicholas Audifferen, gave assurance that the Federal Government remained committed to the well-being of the girls.
Osinbajo said the Buhari administration would do everything possible to ensure that the girls were rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
“It is the role of government to ensure that you are safe and properly cared for,” he said.
The Director Medical Services, DSS, Dr. Anne Okorafor, who handed over the girls to the ministry, said they were medically, psychologically and physically fit.
She said: “All the investigation required has been done and we have treated the girls except for a few of them who require additional follow-up treatment.”
The Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF, Mr. Samuel Manyok, said the organisation was glad to be part of the stakeholders involved in providing the girls with necessary rehabilitation.
According to Manyok, UNICEF looks forward to closer relationship with all stakeholders in rehabilitating the girls.
On his part, the Deputy Representative of UNFPA, Dr. Eugene Kongnyuy, said the handover was a new chapter for the girls.
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