30 Chibok girls’ parents seek Obasanjo’s help over release of children

THIRTY parents of the abducted Chibok girls, who have been held captive by the Boko Haram sect since April 2014, on Saturday, sought the help of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, over the release of their children.

They urged Obasanjo to prevail on the Federal Government and the international community to expedite action on the release of the remaining 112 school girls.

Obasanjo, while responding to their request, assured them that their wards would be released from captivity, just as he expressed confidence in the Muhammadu Buhari-led government to secure their release.

The former president, who quoted different Bible passages, said that God  does not do any evil, assuring them that in no distance time, the abducted girls would regain their freedom.

He said,  “I want to share with you some of my own thought about the sovereignty of God and what he can do. He is all-knowing, powerful and can do anything.

Dapchi girls released with skin diseases —DG DSS

“I want to share some passages in the Bible. Some of the passages in the Bible have similar passages in the Holy Qur’an.  (John 16vs 33). He said that as Christians we shall experience tribulations and with faith in him, we shall overcome.

“That is our Lord Jesus Christ talking to us as Christians and as His disciples. Jesus did not say we will not have  tribulations in the world, He said we will have tribulations, trials and distress. Our faith will be tested.

“Whatever God allows to happen, He allows it for a good purpose, to test our faith and it is in testing of our faith that our character is shaped and strengthened.

“I understand how you feel now. I understand your pain and your anguish. God never does evil whatever happens to strengthen and make us perfect,” he said.

The meeting of the distraught parents was facilitated by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF), as part efforts to reassure and counsel  the families on the development.

The meeting was at the instance of the former president who is the Chairman of the MMF Board.

One of the parents of the abductees, Mr. Yakubu Nkeki, appealed to the FG and world leaders not to rest on their oars in ensuring that the remaining girls were released.

He said that in some few months to come,  the girls would have been in captivity for four years.