Jonathan lays foundation for the reconstruction of chibok school

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala supported by the Principal of the School Mrs Asabe Kwambura, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Mr. Sani Sidi and others as she lay foundation for the rebuilding of Chibok school in Bornu State, Thursday. Photo; Sunday Aghaeze.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the rebuilding of GovernmentSecondary School Chibok, which was destroyedby the Boko Haram sect.
The school was destroyed when the terrorist sect abducted over 200 girls in April last year.
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.
“We sympathise 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 othersaffectedby 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 remodelling and reconstructionof this school.
“We want our students to go back to school. Wewant 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 theirparents and the entirecommunity.
“We will also not forgetthe 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 reconstructedChibok school is expected to have a state of the art library and laboratory, computer and ICT Centre, a sportsarena and a clinic. For security, it will have a gatehouse and observationpost to be manned by well equipped securityagents.
Giventhe fact that most ofthe staff housing, including that of the principal was destroyed during the attack, a new staff accommodation and a principal house will be constructed. The school will run on solar power, and a water reservoir will bebuilt for thenew dormitories.
The reconstructedschoolwill 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.
The president said this was unacceptable.•
He noted that while serious efforts are still being madeto rescuethe kidnapped girls, the studentsthat are currently at homeshould be supportedto return toschool.
Most importantly, he stated that 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, stated that “this is the happiest day ofmy life.”
She thanked the government and welcomed thePresident to thecommunity.
The minister was accompanied by Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Alhami Sani Sidi, Air Commodore Charles Otegbede and otherdignitaries.
The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala supported by the Principal of the School Mrs Asabe Kwambura, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Sani Sidi WITH THE PARENTS OF THE ABDUCTEDCHIBOK School Girls as she lay foundation for the rebuilding of Chibok school in Bornu State, Thursday. PHOTO SUNDAY AGHAEZE