Jonathan to Nigerians: We’re in a trying moment

President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to understand that the country is currently in a trying moment.He said this at the State House in Abuja yesterday while inaugurating a presidential committee on the rescue of the abducted female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.The president reassured that the nation had the empathy and […]

President Goodluck Jonathan has asked Nigerians to understand that the country is currently in a trying moment.
He said this at the State House in Abuja yesterday while inaugurating a presidential committee on the rescue of the abducted female students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
The president reassured that the nation had the empathy and cooperation of other countries across the world.
The president inaugurated the committee without giving it a time frame.
Daily Trust reports that none of the three representatives of the Borno State Government, nominated as members of the committee, was present at the inauguration; while Barrister Femi Falana, a member, was also absent. Media reports said Falana rejected his nomination into the committee.
The president clarified that the committee was not a replacement for the search and rescue operations being undertaken by security agencies nor for covert intelligence gathering required to assist in the operations.
According to him, the operations of the security and intelligence services will continue to intensify “till our daughters are rescued and brought safely home to their families”.
He assured the families of the abducted schoolgirls that the government, in collaboration with the international community that everything possible would be done to rescue the girls.
The president also implored them to remain strong in their understandably difficult situation and assist in the investigations.
“We must keep supporting the families, who for seeking education for their daughters, are undergoing untold pains at this moment. Let me assure the families of our dear daughters that in conjunction with the international community, government will do everything possible to get our girls back.
“We share your pain and suffering and we are with you in prayers. We urge you to cooperate with the investigations in spite of your understandably difficult situation. We implore you to remain strong”, the president said.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, retired Brig. General Ibrahim A. Sabo​​​​, asked the government not to be stampeded into taking any decision that could further endanger the lives of the abducted girls.
He urged the president to encourage the security forces to find the best possible option to tackle the situation “because pushing them to what the people are urging and agitating will be forcing them to start swimming in uncharted water.
Members of the committee are Hajia Hawa Ibrahim, Hajia Fatima Kwaku​​​​​​​, two representatives of the National Council of Women Societies, two representatives of the All Nigeria Conference of
​Principals of Secondary ​ Schools, two representatives of the Parent-Teacher Association, two representatives of the Police, two representatives of the State Security Service​​​​​​, two representatives of the Nigerian Army​​ and two representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Mr. Femi Falana, who was initially named as member, has turned down the offer.
Other members are one representative of the Federal Ministry of ​​​ Information (who shall be the committees’ spokesperson)​​; one representative of the Federal Ministry of Justice, three representatives of Borno State Government (two of whom, preferably, shall be women)​​​​; one representative of the United Nations​​​​; one representative of ECOWAS (who shall be a woman)​​ and the Permanent Secretary (Special Services Office) Office of the Secretary to the Government of the federation as secretary.