CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation Aisha Oyebode's trip to Chibok

This is an article written by Aisha Muhammed
Oyebode CEO Murtala Muhammed Foundation..
Monday April 11th I visited the Government
Girls Secondary School in Chibok to meet with
the parents; mothers and fathers of our Chibok
daughters ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the
abduction of our Chibok daughters. Last month
the parents had indicated that they would prefer
that the anniversary be hosted in their school,
they wished to be in their own surrounding to
reflect and pray for their daughters and
commune on what they wish and want in their
continued loss.
We approached the Ministry of Women Affairs on
behalf of the Families and they accepted to work
with us to make this reality. My preceding visit
was to work with their parents in reviewing their
plans, logistics for the visit and to prepare for
such an important occasion, which will take to
them a strong government delegation and give
them the opportunity to be heard and ask for
the continued government support they needed.
Arriving at the GGSS Chibok was a bitter sweet
moment. Though I have met large numbers of
the mothers of our daughters, I met many
fathers as well. I could hug the mums and
convey directly to all the parents that there are
many of us out there in the world crying for
their daughters to be released and I could
sense that gave them so much comfort. Being
physically in the school however really brought
home the stark reality of the abduction of our
girls.
The message I bring back is that of gratitude to
and prayers for every one who has supported
the cry for their daughters' return.
When I asked if they wanted to articulate other
requests from the Federal Government, their
initial response was that they wanted nothing
except that their daughters be returned.
However I told the parents that the schools
destroyed by Boko Haram should be rebuilt. I
told them that rebuilding Government Girls'
Secondary School will be a symbol that the
community remains resilient in the face of
adversity, I also that it is important for the
younger children to resume school as soon as
possible so "WE HAVE TO BRING BACK OUR
GIRLS AND BRING BACK OUR SCHOOLS"
There was a high level of security and relative
calm. As emphasised by the chairman of the
Missing Girls' Movement Mr Yakubu Nkeki,
despite what happened their community was
never fully occupied by Boko Haram and those
that were occupied had largely been liberated.
It was evident that much of our territory has
been taken back by the Nigerian . As we drove
from Yola to Chibok, we could see even in
Adamawa State, buildings that had been blown
up,, with many riddled with bullet holes which
showed how far Boko Haram incursion into our
territory had gone. However we could see
significant rebuilding efforts both on the road
including the shiny new roofs of many new
buildings in the villages.
I really cannot end this report without truly
thanking our Nigerian military for their valour
and patriotism. As I interacted with the different
brigades that kindly escorted us from Yola to
Chibok and back, a journey that took 13 hours
plus, I saw young Nigerian soldiers that were
drawn from all parts of our great country
working hard to defend our territorial integrity.
I am truly proud to be a Nigerian.