LAGOS: Following the abduction of over 110 girls from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State by suspected Boko Haram militants, the Senate has summoned the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and the Inspector- General of Police, IGP, Mr Ibrahim Idris to explain operational strategies to rescue the remaining Chibok and recently kidnapped Dapchi school girls within two weeks.
According to the Senate, both the Chief of Army Staff and the IGP, during their appearance, will present to the lawmakers, actual situation of things regarding the kidnap.
Against this backdrop, the upper chamber yesterday, mandated its committees on Police Affairs, Security and Intelligence to summon both the IGP and the Chief of Army Staff. Meanwhile, the Senate has felicitated with Nigerian Women and Girls on this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.
Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Binta Masi Garba (APC, Adamawa North on 2018 International Women’s Day, but read by Senator Biodun Olujimi, PDP, Ekiti South. The motion was co- sponsored by Senators Stella Oduah, PDP, Anambra North; Oluremi Tinubu, APC, Lagos Central), Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South), Monsurat Summonu ( APC, Oyo Central), Fatima Raji- Rasaki (PDP, Ekiti Central), Rose Oko, PDP (Cross River North), John Enoh (APC, Cross River Central) and Yele Omogunwa (APC, Ondo South). Speaking on the motion, Senator Olujimi stressed that the Senate was particularly “concerned that the spate of girl child kidnappings in Nigeria has assumed an alarming dimension.
On February 21, 2018, the nation was shocked with the news of the kidnap of 110 school girls from Government Girls Science Technical College, Dapchi, Busari Local Government Area of Yobe State. This incidence is reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok Girls abduction in which 113 of the girls are stilt in captivity almost four years after.” According to her, the Senate “Further notes that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Press for Progress Now” with a particular focus on Gender Parity, Observes: that in 2015, world leaders adopted the Sustainable Development “Goals, placing gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls “at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This year’s international Women’s Day focuses on Goal 5, which is centered on Gender Equality; “To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.” In his remarks, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided, called for the implementation of 25 percent affirmative action for women. Relatedly, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday joined world leaders and people around the world to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2018.
In a series of tweets on his @BukolaSaraki handle, the Senate President emphasized the role and significance of women in both the development of Nigeria, and the world.
“Today, on International Women’s Day, I join the world to celebrate our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our colleagues and our friends who wake up each day and work to make the world a better place. “In particular, today, I celebrate those women, who have played, and continue to play their part in the development of our country in every sector, in every way, and at every point in our young, but significant history.”
