… Panel breaks into cluster groups
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated over 30-man fact-finding committee on the abducted students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The three representatives from the state were absent at the inauguration. No reason was given. More than 200 female students are still with Boko Haram.
In his remarks, Jonathan said the committee was neither a judicial or administrative panel to investigate the incident because those were the responsibilities of the state government.
He noted that the committee’s primary concern is to provide public interface with all those directly concerned in the tragedy, to provide a well-coordinated citizens’ input into the overall investigations .
The President commended the global outrage trailing the abduction of the girls, noting that it was a clear testimony that humanity could come together and unite against evil, no matter how it is presented.
He charged the committee’s spokesman, Kingsley Osadalor, to ensure a six-hourly or at least, daily press briefings on the progress of the panel, assuring that government will ensure the girls were brought back safely.
He said, “first, let me make it very clear. Luckily, the Minister of Justice is here, that this committee is neither a judicial committee or an administrative committee to look into this incident.
“No. It is not an administrative panel set up by the Federal Government or a judicial committee. I must make that very clear because those are the responsibilities of the state and not that of the Federal Government.
“I say so because before you know, somebody will go to court and say that the Federal Government is interloping in an area which is supposed to be an exclusive preserve of the state. You will agree with me that this is not a committee that brings joy to me and indeed, our countrymen and women.
“However, it is a necessary step which government must take to confront the sad circumstances surrounding the abduction of female students, our daughters in Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok.
“First of all, let me clarify that this committee is not a replacement for the search and rescue operations being undertaken by security agencies nor for covert intelligence gathering required to assist that of the operation. The operation of the security and intelligence services will continue to intensify till our daughters are rescued and brought safely home to their families.
“Rather, this committee will be primarily concerned with providing public interface with all directly concerned in this tragedy in order to provide a well-coordinated citizens inputs into the overall investigations.
“This is the time when we must dwell together beyond all political, religious or regional divide against our common enemy. We must remain vigilant and be ready to assist security agencies and authorities at all times.
“Once again, I assure all Nigerians and our esteemed guests especially delegates to the World Economic Forum of a safe and conducive atmosphere. We have our challenges just like every other countries have, but we must make sure that the World Economic Forum goes on without any hitch.
“We will continue to reinforce security everywhere around the country in order to sustain our development gains. In due cognisance of the solemnity of the present situation, I hereby formally inaugurate this presidential committee.
“Distinguish ladies and gentlemen, we must bring back our daughters”.
The Chairman of the committee, Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Sabo, described as ignorant, unpatriotic and selfishness some Nigerians who have been abusing the President over the incident, explaining that they surely did not understand the danger and intricacies of dealing with hostage-taking terrorists.
He urged the President and security forces not to be stampeded by public sentiments into taking actions that could further endanger the lives of the girls or make matters worse. Sabo promised that the members will be guided by the fear of God and would complete their assignment without fear or favour. He prayed God to continue to guide Jonathan towards a meaningful resolution of the crisis and other challenges facing the country.
Sabo said: “The committee is set up by you, predicated on your belief of having a water-tight security network and peaceful coexistence in the country, and the nation at large.
“The mentioning of our committee during the media chat gingered all of us and added adrenaline and it sensitized us towards doing better than our best. The encouraging words you have are endearing. We assure you that we will do this job without fear or favour but with the fear of God because in the affairs of man, you fear God, in the affairs of God, you fear no man, you don’t fear man.
The committee which has no time frame, has the following terms of reference:
• To liaise with the Borno State Government and establish the circumstances leading to the school remaining open for boarding students when other schools were closed;
• To liaise with relevant authorities and the parents of the missing girls to establish the actual number and identities of the girls abducted; and
• To interface with the security services and Borno State Government to ascertain how many of the missing girls have returned.
Some members of the committee include Hajia Hawa Ibrahim and Hajia Fatima Kwaku, two representatives of National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), two female representatives from Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), two representatives of the national members of Parents Teachers Association, two representatives of the Nigeria Police, and two representatives of the Department of State Security.
The committee yesterday broke into cluster groups after its maiden meeting, following the inauguration.
A statement by Osadolor said the Committee broke into clusters of workgroups to immediately gather and sift facts already in the public domain, and within the knowledge of appropriate agencies, with a view to ascertaining gaps, which will assist the Committee in the next stages of its fact-finding mission.
He said following the absence of the three Borno nominees during the inauguration, the committee contacted the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Amba Baba Ahmed Jidda, who explained that he had been away, but promised to send the nominated representatives at the next plenary of the committee.
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