On Friday, the Nigerian Federal Government celebrated the graduation of 18 rescued Chibok girls who completed the first phase of a vocational skills program. Each participant received professional equipment starter packs along with one million Naira in seed capital to support their business ventures.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, detailed that the initial group included 14 individuals trained in tailoring and four in catering. Future cohorts are already being prepared, with 33 girls in the next training group, as well as students enrolled at the American University of Nigeria, set to receive similar financial support upon graduation. Furthermore, 221 parents of the Chibok girls will receive financial aid, industrial sewing machines, and deep freezers to assist their own economic stability.
Addressing the graduates, the Minister encouraged them to define themselves by their future achievements rather than their past trauma. Local officials and academic leaders, including Commissioner Neido Kofulto and Professor Ibrahim Danjuma, commended the government’s initiative. They expressed confidence that these newly acquired skills will foster self-reliance and empower the women to become successful entrepreneurs.
