Waec open up about the abducted girls

OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
PRESS RELEASE
WAEC OPENS UP ON CHIBOK GIRLS’
SCHOOL; SAYS WE REGISTERED 530 MALE
AND FEMALE STUDENTS FOR EXAMS
We are getting there – FIRST LADY
In what appears to be a lead into the
resolution of the conflicting information
about the
number of girls abducted by insurgents at
the Government Girls Secondary School,
Chibok, Borno State, the West African
Examination Council, WAEC last night told
the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan that
it enrolled 530 students for the examinations
being written when the insurgents reportedly
abducted more than 200 girls in the school.
The Head of WAEC National Office, Mr.
Charles Eguridu was answering myriad of
questions asked by Wives of State
Governors, Female Legislators at Federal and
State levels, and Leaders of various Women
Organizations who converged in Abuja at the
invitation of the First Lady to strategize on
the best ways to ensure the release of the
abducted Children.
Dame Patience Jonathan had expressed her
concern and frustration over the security
situation
in the country, particularly the abduction of
school girls in Chibok, Borno State.
Mr. Eguridu said WAEC was initially reluctant
to conduct examination in the area because
of the security challenges but had to, when
the State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima
assured the council in writing that adequate
security would be provided.
He said in contrary to the widespread belief,
Chibok Government Secondary School is
a mixed institution which necessitated the
enrollment of 135 males out of the total 530
registered for the examination. After the
incident he explained, 189 students were
relocated to Uba examination center where
they are continuing with the examinations.
Mr. Eguridu to the First Lady, the enrollment
list and the passport photographs of
the registered students for Chibok secondary
school examination center.
The Borno State Commissioner of Women
Affairs, Hajia Inna Galadima who stood in for
the Wife of the Governor, Nana Shettima also
told the meeting that 53 girls are currently in
custody of the State Government.
This prompted more questions from the
women who wanted to know how many
students slept in the hostel that night, why
only the girls, why the principal withdrew
after giving information that soldiers rescued
some of the girls and whether it is true that
the girls are being married out.
Arising from the comments, observations
and issues raised, a six member committee
to be chaired by wife of Borno State
Governor, Hajia Nana Shettima was set up
with mandate to
invite:
1) The Principal of the school
2) 2 teachers from the School
3) Chairman and Secretary of PTA of the
School
4) 2parents whose children are still missing
5) 2 Parents whose children escaped
6) 2 of the students that escaped
7) The Commissioner of Police in Borno and
the DPO covering Chibok to shed light on
the controversies surrounding the abduction
saga on Sunday may 4, 2014 after which the
women may undertake a demand for release
march to Governor Kashim Shettima of
Borno State.
The First Lady said the women of Nigeria are
determined to get to the root of the matter.
The invitees are to meet with the First Lady
and the women in an enlarged meeting on
Sunday May 4, 2014.
Signed
Ayo Adewuyi
Media Assistant,
Office of the First Lady
FRN
May 3, 2014.