Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji
*ABEOKUTA* – No fewer than 19 victims of the Boko Haram insurgence in the Northern part of Nigeria have graduated from their academic pursuit in Ogun State.
The Director of Stephen International Children School, Obantoko in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Mr. Wole Newton made this known to journalists on Thursday while graduating hundreds of students including 19 of the Boko Haram displaced victims who were enrolled with the school during the height of the Boko Haram menace.
Mr. Newton expressed gratitude to God for his guidance over the school even in the face of challenges which threatened the existence of the school.
He said “We are very excited for today is a great day, Stephen Children home and Stephen international Children school will remember today as remarkable.
“Today we have to thank God who has called us to this work. Today 19 of our students across the northern parts are graduating today.
“We must thank God for this feat because like I have said earlier 19 students displaced from the northern part are also graduating today and we pray that they will succeed in life.”
While speaking at the graduation ceremony, the representative of Christian Martyrs in Adamawa state, Mr. Jerry Ochoechi noted that, the school has been responsive to the welfare and the academic prowess of the students, calling on federal government to intensify effort in tackling the menace of the insurgents in the north.
His words, “I was born in Benue state, but brought up in Adamawa state,Yola. I schooled there from my Primary school to tertiary institution level.
“Presently I am a seminary and an Ordained minister with the Christian movement in Nigeria.
“We have a bitter experience in the north most especially about the issue of the Fulani herdsmen, it is just ethnic cleansing and the government are not doing anything about it.
“Whenever we see fighter jet flying in the north, we already understand that attacks have began somewhere but the military will only go there to protect the herdsmen.
“The military has sworn with both the bible and the holy Quran to protect lives and properties they should do as promised.”
Widows who lost their husbands during the menace but have children in the school also appreciated the school management.
Speaking through their representative Mrs. Laywat said, “We must appreciate the Director of the Stephen children home for standing firm behind us during the time of our challenges especially when we lost our husbands to the killings going on in the northern States.”