MAI-GASKIYA LIVING UP TO HIS NAME

With the recent release of 21 Chibok girls by the Boko Haram insurgents, President Muhammadu Buhari has lived up to his popular alias ‘Mai-Gaskiya’ which is translated to mean, “someone who keeps his words”. In the entire Northern Nigeria, Mr President is synonymous with the nick name, and across the country he is also acknowledged as a man of fidelity. Most Nigerians have implicit faith in President Buhari as a man of honour and integrity. What this translates into is that though reticent, he keeps his promises.

During the 2015 presidential campaigns, it was obvious that President Buhari was flabbergasted that some 219 school girls were kidnapped under the watch of the previous administration and we still carried on as if things were normal. One could easily sense how disappointed he felt about the ugly development; hence he made an irrevocable promise to rescue the girls on assumption of office.

Since May 29, 2015, when he was sworn in, President Buhari left no one in doubt about his desire to quickly rescue the Chibok girls from the pangs of Boko Haram. He strategised behind the scenes with the Nigerian military and the result is the safe return of the 21 of the Chibok girls and a clear possibility that the remaining will soon regain their freedom and rejoin their families.

It is needless to recount here the horrendous trauma which enveloped the nation since the abduction of the Chibok girls, yet it should matter to us that on this issue, Nigerians of different political, religious and ethnic divides were united that the act was reprehensible and regrettable.

Before President Buhari assumed office, it seemed as if we were merely scratching the surface as far as locating and rescuing these girls, as all efforts including pay-outs to would-be negotiators yielded little or no result.

Therefore, in celebrating the return of the 21 Chibok girls, we must reflect soberly and appreciate President Buhari’s single-minded determination, but quiet efforts towards the eventual release of the Chibok girls.

From all indications, it can be seen that while criticisms have been heaped on the government for the non-release of the girls, especially coming from the Bring Back Our Girls Group (BBOG), President Buhari was ahead of everybody, as he worked tirelessly until this particular mileage in the search and eventual release was realised to the consternation of all.

It is not surprising that Nigerians and the international community will expect quick fixes in rescuing all the Chibok girls, but matters like this are more complicated than the ordinary eye can see. It must be acknowledged that President Buhari has brought his military tactics and experience to bear in the rescue efforts, as well as in achieving the overall security goals of his administration.

In retrospect, we can easily conclude that before President Buhari’s came to power, the security agencies were running in circles over the rescue of the girls as no meaningful clue was available. Of course, while the rigmarole lasted, the agony of the parents, relatives and most well-meaning Nigerians and foreigners knew no bounds. Perhaps it can be said that the whole world was taken aback that such reprehensible act happened in the 21st century. Our collective psyche was hurt and dehumanised, but with the release of the 21 girls, Nigerians have a reason to cheer up and support the president in the efforts to bring back the remaining girls. Chukwudi Enekwechi, Abuja