Ambode Applauded As Babington Girls Resume School

Source: thewillnigeria.com

SAN FRANCISCO, March 07, (THEWILL) – The three Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary girls who were rescued from their abductors over the weekend have returned and resumed school with lots of kind words for the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode by school officials.

An administrative staff member of the seminary, who did not want to be named, told NAN at the school that the girls had joined their schoolmates for revision classes ahead of their examinations, which begin next week.

“The girls are back in school and they are also preparing for their forthcoming examinations,” he said.

“This week is for revision and examinations will commence fully next week.”

The school officials led by Rev. Adebayo Dada Akinde, the Anglican Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos Mainland Diocese; along with the Principal of the school, Ven. Olaoluwa Adeyemi and parents of the three rescued female students visited the Governor, on Monday, on a “thank you” courtesy visit.

Akinde commended the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, saying the prompt, positive and practical response of the government contributed largely to the success story of the safe rescue of the three female students

He said the success story of the rescue of the girls cannot be complete without the laudable efforts of the Lagos State Government.

“It was a most traumatic moment and sad for us as proprietors. Today we are thanking God for his intervention that a most unfortunate and traumatic event ended on a joyous note,” he said.

“All three pupils are now safe in the custody of their parents, they have been reunited. You acted and responded. Your response was prompt, your response was positive, your response was practical.

“So when we talk about this success story of the return of the three female students, your Excellency your contribution is most overwhelming, you have shown yourself to be a passionate leader, a leader that is interested in the well-being of the citizens of the state.

We sincerely appreciate you and are immensely grateful,” Bishop Akinde said.

Responding, Ambode said: “Seven days ago, the unthinkable happened, but again, we give all the glory to God that seven days after we are able to pride ourselves that one of those principal duties that you have charged this administration with is what we have just proved.

“We took it personal, not because it was a private school, not because it was far away from the metropolis, but because we all decided to say that if it were our own child or children, are we going to sit down?

“It's just for me to reiterate that the security of lives and properties is of paramount interest to this administration, we will do anything to make sure that the security of lives and property is sustained, is enhanced, because at the end of the day that is the only way we can grow the economy of Lagos,”

“We know that Lagos is safe, we are reiterating once again and sending a final warning signal to all the criminals and miscreants that have been disturbing the peace of Lagos, this time around, we would be in every nook and cranny of Lagos to secure the lives of everyone,” he said.

The three female students – Timilehin Olusa, Tofunmi Popo Olaniyan and Deborah Akinayo – were kidnapped by gunmen from the junior seminary at about 8p.m. on February 29, but they were rescued by the police on Sunday.

Story by David Oputah