…As Nigerian women in UK task FG on country’s security***
The United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP), an NGO, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently direct security agencies to secure the release of Miss Leah Shuaribu and others in captivity of Boko Haram.
The Executive Director of UGRFP, Mr. Shalom Olaseni, who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said efforts should also be made to verify the claims made by Miss Grace Taku, an aid worker kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.
Taku, who works with Action Against Hunger, was kidnapped on July 18 alongside five of her male colleagues in Borno state.
Olaseni, however, called on government to be cautious in its approach as the terrorists group could be seeking to attract attention for the release of their men or monetary gains.
“As a group, we must first caution against taking at a face value all the information passed on in the widely circulated video of Miss Grace Taku.
“It may as well be one part of a script by the insurgent group known for its propensity for propaganda and untruths.
He blamed the recent development surrounding Shuaribu’s life and others like her on failure of government to act or ‘do something’ since the kidnap of the girls.
Also read: Boko Haram kills aid worker, threatens to harm Leah Sharibu
“The public was informed that efforts would be intensified to negotiate the release of Miss Leah Shuaribu who was reportedly still in captivity for her refusal to deny/renounce her Christian faith for Islam.
“Over 400 days later, amidst waning calls for actions on her behalf, the claims made by Miss Grace Taku in a video made in captivity has jolted the populace back into outrage and recentered discourse around a lonesome yet brave school,” he said.
The group pleaded with Nigerians to proffer constructive resolutions devoid of politics and sentiments on how to ensure the release of the girl.
Mrs Nkechi Okezuruonye (Middle) and some members of Elite Golden Ladies during their charity visit to Great Ormond Street Children Hospital, UK.
Nigerian Women in United Kingdom (U.K.) have urged security agencies to nip the security challenges facing the country in the bud to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to come home and contribute to the development of the country.
The women under the auspices of Elite Golden Ladies, U.K. and Ireland, indicated this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone, through their President Mrs Nkechi Okezuruonye.
She said that the security situation in various parts of the country, especially kidnapping, could discourage most of them from coming home to assist government in moving the country forward.
“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure adequate funding of security agencies, to put a stop to kidnapping, banditry, Boko Harram attacks and so on,” she said.
Okezuruonye said the group which is a social and non-religious group had designed an annual programme of events through which members assist the less privileged in various communities in Nigeria, but noted that security was important in achieving them.
“As a women group, we realised that insecurity has brought a lot of hardship on the people and we decided to create a platform through which we can join forces with the Nigerian government to assist the less privileged.
“We have been in existence since 2011 and we are a non-religious organisation, and we support worthy courses just as we have supported people with diabetes in Nigeria by partnering with the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN).
“We stretched forth our hands by supporting the less privileged people at Hopeville Rehabilitation Centre in Uturu, Abia State and the diabetic patients at the Ukpor General Hospital in Anambra; we have also supported diabetes patients in Nkanu, Enugu State.
“The widows are not left out because we supported some of them in Lilu, Ihiala, Anambra State with financial and relief materials
“We couldn’t have been able to render support to these diabetic patients and the less privileged people if we can’t come home; we have also supported Great Ormond Street Children Hospital in U.K., where we reside,” she said.
