We have not lost hope on Chibok girls –Defence Minister

The Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, at the weekend said hope is not lost on the abducted Chibok girls.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for 404 military personnel at the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Ishodi, Obanikoro said President Goodluck Jonathan is pained by the incident and was doing everything possible to ensure that the girls are rescued and reunited with their families.

The minister lamented the inability of security agencies to rescue the girls after about two months, adding that concrete efforts are on to tackle the problem.

“Let me say that all hands are on deck to ensure that those girls are brought back. I know, because I see the president everyday and I know he is pained that those girls are out there. All it takes to appreciate what President Goodluck Jonathan is going through is to sit back and switch roles. I am also pained because I have daughters and I would not want them abducted for any reason”, he said.

Earlier, the minister said plans are on to establish hospitals to cater for retired military personnel. Obanikoro further stated that the federal government recently approved the inclusion of retired military personnel in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

“You must use the experience you have garnered in the military to preach the message of love, peace and tolerance in your various communities. I urge you all to be prepared to continue to contribute your quota to the growth of the country”, he said.

On his part, Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Oshodi, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan said steps have been taken to enlarge the scope of the programme to cover both military and para-military personnel in the country.

The 404 military personnel were said to have voluntarily asked to be retired from the Nigerian military after putting in 35 years in service.