FG graduates 18 rescued Chibok girls in vocational skills

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Photo: NAN

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The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday graduated 18 rescued Chibok girls, trained in the 1st batch of vocational skills acquisition scheme.

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They were presented with starter packs and cash, all worth N128.2 million each, as entrepreneurship grant.

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Speaking at the ceremony in Yola, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said 14 of the girls were trained in tailoring, four in catering services and each got a million Naira.

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She explained that the next batch, the second batch comprising 33 of the Chibok girls, would also get a million naira each as grant for business once they graduate with starter packs.

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The minister added that another 12 of the Chibok girls, who are in the graduation class of 2026 of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), would also receive a million naira each as entrepreneurship grant.

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“Also, 21 girls (another set of Chibok girls), currently in AUN, will graduate in 2027 and also receive a million naira each for entrepreneurship grant once they graduate.

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“Their parents, 221 of them, (parents of all the Chibok girls), will be given N200,000 each, eight deep freezers, 10 swing machines and three industrial machines to support them prosper.

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“We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate, and prosper,” she said.

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She called on the girls not to allow anyone to define them by what happened to them 12 years back.

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“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event.

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“From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity, and your contributions,” she stressed.

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Mr Neido Kofulto, Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs in Adamawa, appreciated the Federal Government for rescuing them from captivity and giving them opportunity for the programme.

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She said the skills would help them to be productive and self-reliant in the future.

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Kofulto urged the beneficiaries to apply the skills in practice with seriousness to succeed in the future.

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Prof. Ibrahim Danjuma, Managing Director, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola Consultancy Services, congratulated the beneficiaries for actively participating in the vocational training.

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He expressed hope that they would become future entrepreneurs and successful businesswomen in the country.

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(NAN)

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