FG Empowers Rescued Chibok Girls With N2m Support Package

The Federal Government has empowered 18 Chibok girls with ₦2 million support package each, comprising a ₦1 million cash grant and vocational starter packs worth another ₦1 million, as part of efforts to rebuild their lives and promote economic independence. The empowerment was made at the closeout ceremony of the Rescued Chibok Girls Support Programme in Yola, where the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs also celebrated the successful completion of vocational training by the beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Women Affairs said the intervention forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at restoring dignity, confidence and self-reliance to survivors of insurgency through education, skills acquisition and economic empowerment. The beneficiaries completed training in tailoring, fashion design and catering, with 14 graduating in tailoring and fashion design and four in catering.

The minister also announced that 33 other rescued Chibok girls would begin another phase of vocational skills training, while 21 survivors currently pursuing higher education would each receive a ₦1 million grant to support their studies.

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She further disclosed that 12 rescued Chibok girls who graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) would also receive ₦1 million each from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of their academic achievement. According to her, nursing mothers among the students will receive special allowances to enable them to continue their education without interruption.

Describing the programme as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s rehabilitation efforts, the minister said every Nigerian girl deserves the opportunity to realise her full potential, stressing that the beneficiaries should no longer be identified solely as “Chibok girls” but as accomplished women equipped to contribute to national development.

She noted that the programme, which began following the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014, reflects the government’s sustained commitment to rebuilding lives through education and economic empowerment.The Federal Government also extended the intervention to the families of the survivors. A total of 221 parents will each receive ₦200,000 in cash support alongside livelihood assets, including industrial sewing machines and deep freezers, to strengthen their household income. Chairman of the Parents of the Chibok Girls commended the Federal Government for standing with the families over the past 12 years, describing the intervention as a significant step towards restoring hope to survivors and their communities. Some of the beneficiaries, including Rifkatu Solomon and Hauwa Mantel, expressed appreciation for the support, pledging to put the skills and financial assistance to productive use.

Dignitaries at the event included the Commissioner, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adamawa State, Neido Geoffrey, the Director of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Adedayo Benjamin, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs, Engr. Fatima Abubakar.