General News of Friday, 2 August 2019
Source: dailypost.ng
The Abia State Government has called for the release of Miss Leah Sharibu, who was abducted by Killer Boko-Haram sect on February 19, 2018.
Recall that Miss Sharibu was among the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls kidnapped from Yobe State by the insurgents and the only Christian schoolgirl who was not released by the terrorists after the Federal Government negotiated the release of others.
John Okiyi Kalu, the State Commissioner of Information, made the call on Thursday while addressing delegation from the National Orientation Agency (NOA)-led by the Abia Director, Mrs. Ngozi Okechukwu.
Kalu also called on the Federal Government to deploy all available security resources to ensure the immediate release of Sharibu and other abducted citizens to give people more reasons to be patriotic.
He described her abduction and continued incarceration as a collective blight on the nation’s conscience.
The Commissioner assured that the government will continue to work with federal agencies in the state to ensure her rapid development, peace and progress.
He, however, congratulated former Minister of information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, on his reappointment and successful screening by the Senate called for a more effective social mobilization effort to help citizens buy into government programs with confidence.
Speaking earlier, the Abia State Director of National Orientation Agency(NOA), Mrs. Ngozi Okechukwu, said, “We will collaborate with the Abia state government to expand the sensitization of women on the five essential family practices that UNICEF is promoting, which includes exclusive breastfeeding, Immunization, war against open defecation, proper childcare and antenatal care.”