Shekarau: Release of Chibok schoolgirls next

Ibrahim Shekarau, minister of education, has lauded the federal government’s ceasefire agreement with Boko Haram, saying the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls should be the focus.

Speaking through Nnamdi Olebara, his special adviser on media, Shekarau said the agreement would restore normalcy in the education sector in the affected states.

Alex Badeh, the chief of defence staff, announced the ceasefire agreement between the federal government and the Islamist militant group.

Badeh directed all service chiefs to ensure compliance with the development by field officers.

Shekarau said he looked forward to the return of normal academic activities in all the schools in the north-east which was worst affected.

“The release of the Chibok girls is topmost in our desire; and peace will bring about normal flow of academic process,” he said.

“The insurrection threatened the future of our children who are leaders of tomorrow. With restoration of peace, the ministry will do all that is needful to recover lost grounds.

“We will ensure the return of normal education to the northeast by providing facilities and bringing a steam to teaching and learning.”

He said the federal government would continue to do its best to cater to the citizens and ensure security of lives and property.

It is estimated that no fewer than 13,000 persons have been killed in Boko Haram-related attacks from 2009 to 2014.

Meanwhile, the Miners Association of Nigeria has also commended the ceasefire deal.

Edward Danladi, the vice-president of the association, told NAN in a telephone conversation that the insecurity situation had negatively affected the economic fortunes of the country.

He cited the low participation of foreign companies in the just-concluded Abuja international trade fair as one of the manifestations of the crisis in the northeast.

He said this development contrasted with previous editions, which were well-attended by foreign participants.

Danladi said the ceasefire would improve the nation’s economy, as the country could not afford insecurity at this level of its economic development.