TUC lauds release of Chibok girls, seeks action on others

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has lauded the Federal Government and its international partners for the release of 21 Chibok girls.The central labour centre said the release of 21 Chibok Girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram Sect at Government Secondary School, Chibok on April 14, 2014 is worthy of celebration.

It charge Nigerians irrespective of party affiliations, religion and tribe to put politics aside and commend the Federal Government, Red Cross International, Swiss government and even the sect for heeding the voice of reason and maintaining some level of trust.

The president of TUC, Bobboi Bala Kaigama, said the experience of Nigeria, as a country in the last few years has not been a good one as she has suffered politically in terms of leadership and also economically.

“Being an import nation our currency is on its knees to virtually all foreign currencies and socially, to say the least, there is wanton waste of resources by politicians on frivolities – they acquire very expensive cars yet we have the worst of roads. Nigerians are hospitable people but regrettably the alarming poverty rate and unemployment have compelled many youths to go into various crimes,” he lamented.

Kagiama stressed that hope is now renewed by the release of the first batch of the girls.While reiterating the desire to have the remaining girls released, TUC declared that life is not a commodity that can be purchased on the neatly arranged shelves of malls anywhere in the world.

It added: “It is sacred and should be treated as such. The issue of swapping or not does not arise here. Only God gives life, sadly we have lost over 30, 000 lives and properties worth billions of naira since the insurgency began in the northeast. This must not be allowed to continue.”

TUC further noted that beyond ensuring the remaining are back, government must address the root cause of insurgency in the country by providing enabling environment for businesses to thrive. ‎

The Congress appeals to government at all levels to put in place a rehabilitation process to ensure proper medical care and trauma management to enable the girls recover fast and be able to pursue their dreams and aspirations.