Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, has sent the rescued Kuriga schoolchildren home amid tight security to reunite with their parents.
This is even as the governor announced a donation of N10million to the family of their teacher who died in the bandits’ captivity due to health complications.
The governor also said that, his government would be providing scholarship up to university level, to the children of the deceased teacher, Malam Abubakar.
One of his children, Isah Abubakar who is also one of the rescued pupils, witnessed his father’s death in the bandits’ den.
Governor Sani who bids the children farewell after three days of psychosocial therapy at the Kaduna Women and Children Shelter, also disclosed that, he will in his private capacity, under the auspices of Uba Sani Foundation be supporting the education of all the 137 pupils and students, up to university level.
The governor said, “We saw the need to keep the children for this long because when they came on Sunday, it was observed that some of them needed some psychological support. So, we had to engage the service of Psychologists and Medical Doctors to attend to them.
“Now, they have been given adequate psychosocial counseling and therapy. I am happy today that all the children are happy and they are in high spirit.
“Now, you are going back home to meet with your parents and other families members who are eager to see you. But I want to assure you that all of you remain my children.”
Sani added, “As a result of this, I will be using Uba Sani Foundation, which has been in existence for the past 16 years to look after the education of all the 137 of you.
“Our government will also be carrying out a lot of rehabilitation works both in the Kuriga community and the school. I have already given directive to that effect. This is because Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.
“Also, the Kaduna State government has taken a collective decision to support the family of Malam Abubakar, the teacher who died in captivity, with N10million. Also, because he has a very young family, the Kaduna State Government will be giving scholarship to his children until they finish secondary school and university.”
The governor assured the school children that, he would be checking on them at Kuriga from time to time to monitor the progress of their education.