The Federal Government on Friday graduated 18 rescued Chibok girls trained in the 1st batch of vocational skills acquisition scheme.

They were presented with starter packs and cash worth N128.2 million as entrepreneurship grant.

Speaking at the ceremony in Yola, , Minister, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, said 14 of the girls were trained in tailoring, four in catering services and each got a million naira.

She explained that next batch, the second batch comprising 33 of the Chibok girls, would also get a million naira each as grant for business once they graduate with starter parks.

The minister added that another 12 of the Chibok girls, who are in the graduation class of 2026 of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), would also receive a million naira each as entrepreneurship grant.

“Also, 21 girls (another set of Chibok girls), currently in AUN, will graduate in 2027 and  also to receive a million naira each for entrepreneurship grant once they graduate.

“Their parents, 221 of them, (parents of all the Chibok girls), will be given N200,000 each, eight deep freezer, 10 swing machines and three industrial machines to support them prosper. We are working to ensure that every survivor has not only the opportunity to recover but also the platform to lead, innovate, and prosper,” she said.

She called on the girls not to allow anyone to define them by what happened to them 12 years back.

“Your identity is not your pain; your identity is your purpose. The world once knew your story because of a heartbreaking event. From today, let the world know you because of your excellence, your achievements, your creativity, and your contributions,” she stated.

The state Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs in Adamawa, Neido Kofulto, appreciated the Federal Government for rescuing them from captivity and giving them opportunity for the programme.

She said the skills would help them to be productive and self-reliant in the future.

Mr Kofulto urged the beneficiaries to apply the skills into practice with seriousness to succeed in the future.

The Managing Director, Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Yola Consultancy Services, Prof. Ibrahim Danjuma, congratulated the beneficiaries for actively participating in the vocational training.

He expressed hope that they would become future entrepreneurs and successful business women in the country.

 (NAN)