Graduation of 12 Chibok schoolgirls from university rekindles optimism for female education, says Shettima

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has expressed that the graduation of 12 Chibok schoolgirls, who were abducted on April 14, 2014, has brought renewed hope for women's education, not only in Nigeria but also beyond its borders.

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At the 17th graduation ceremony of the American University of Nigeria, which took place on Saturday, Shettima, who was represented by Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, praised the university for providing a supportive environment that enabled the 12 Chibok schoolgirls to earn their university degrees.

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The graduation, according to Shettima, symbolizes the significance of women's education in driving national development, serving as a beacon of hope for the country's future.

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Commencement speaker Stephanie Busari highlighted the crucial role played by the Federal Government in sponsoring the Chibok schoolgirls' education at AUN, describing it as a commendable and hopeful gesture for girls' education.

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Busari directly addressed the 12 graduating Chibok schoolgirls, who were among the hundreds abducted from their dormitories in 2014, and are now graduating, marking a significant milestone in their lives.

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In 2017, Busari had met some of the girls at the Presidency in Aso Rock, where she had hugged them, after spending years covering their story as a journalist, and now she was celebrating their graduation.

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A proof-of-life video obtained by Busari in 2016 had helped confirm that the girls were alive, at a time when public interest in their case was waning, and this video played a key role in reigniting negotiation efforts that eventually led to their release.

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Busari recalled the emotional moment she met the freed girls, who were thin but wearing bright and bold ankara outfits, and were genuinely smiling, a moment that has stayed with her.

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The emotional encounter had a profound impact on Busari, who remembered the girls' smiles and their outfits, which were a testament to their resilience and strength.

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Busari referenced a verse from the Book of Psalms, "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream," which she believed was fitting for the occasion, as it captured the essence of the girls' journey.

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AUN President Dewayne Frazier stated that the graduation validates the university's mission as a development-focused institution, demonstrating that it is possible to bridge the gap between trauma and academic success.

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Frazier added that the graduates now serve as beacons of light for the Northeast and the world, sending a powerful message that education is a potent tool for healing and transformation, capable of reclaiming lives and building a brighter future for Nigeria.

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Frazier commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for sponsoring the girls' education at AUN, a gesture that has made a significant difference in their lives.

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A total of 276 girls were abducted by Boko Haram militants from the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok on the night of April 14, 2014, and over the years, more than 180 have been released or escaped, while dozens remain missing or in captivity.