President Goodluck Jonathan has laid the foundation stone for the
reconstruction of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State,
which was destroyed by Boko Haram.
A statement from the ministry of finance stated that the President
who was represented by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said his administration
was determined to root out insurgency in the North-East region to enable
residents of the area return to normal life.
The president in the statement was quoted to have said, “We
sympathize with the Chibok community. We know what you are going
through. But I want to assure you that we are working day and night to
make sure that life returns to normal both in your community and all
others affected by terrorism.
“This administration promised to rebuild the Government Secondary
School in Chibok which was destroyed by terrorists. Today, I am laying
the foundation for the remodeling and reconstruction of this school.
“We want our students to go back to school. We want them to get the
education they need to live a decent life.
We will support them and we
will do everything we can to support their parents and the entire
community.
“We will also not forget the Chibok girls. We are working hard to ensure
that they return home. As a father, I can feel the pain of the parents.
What happened was tragic. But I want you to know that this
administration cares. We will not abandon our children. We are with
you.”
The reconstructed Chibok school according to the statement is
expected to have a state of the art library and laboratory, computers
and ICT center, a sports arena and a clinic.
For security, it added that the new school complex would have a gate
house and observation post to be manned by well-equipped security
agents.
Given the fact that most of the staff quarters, including that of the
Principal, was destroyed during the attack, it said a new staff
accommodation and a principal house will be constructed.
The school will run on solar power, and a water reservoir will be
built for the new dormitories. The reconstructed school will include a
brand new administration block.
Over 3,000 students in Chibok have been unable to return to school since the deadly attack by Boko Haram in the community.
While the President said this was unacceptable, he noted that while
serious efforts are still being made to rescue the kidnapped girls, the
students that are currently at home should be supported to return to
school.
Most importantly, he stated, the kidnapped girls should return to a community that has seen some improvement in their absence.
The principal of the school Hajiya Asabe Ali Kwambula commended the federal government for its support so far to the community.
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