Borno governor’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said on Monday that her absence at Sunday’s meeting with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, over the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, was not to disrespect the office of the First Lady.
Mrs. Shettima’s explanation is contained in a statement signed by her spokesperson, Aisha Hassan, released to newsmen in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.
The statement said that the governor’s wife was represented at the meeting to enable her prepare for a long scheduled visit to Chibok on Monday, to meet with aggrieved parents of the abducted girls and give them moral support.
The statement noted that Mrs. Shettima had the highest regard for the first lady as the mother of the nation.
“Mrs Shettima had actually travelled to Abuja all the way from Maiduguri on 28th of April, and on the evening of that day, she met the First Lady at the Villa and took two hours to brief her on the schoolgirls abduction as well as her (Mrs Shettima) personal efforts and that of her husband, Governor Shettima towards the freedom of the girls.
”Some wives of service chiefs and National women leader of the PDP, Mrs Kema Chikwe, were present when the governor’s wife met with the First Lady.
”The First Lady appreciated the efforts of the Governor’s wife and was consoling her on noticing how depressed she was”, the statement said.
It said that before the April 28 meeting with the first lady, Mrs Shettima had held a meeting with coalition of women groups that included stakeholders of Chibok, officials of the National Council of Women Societies, wives of security chiefs in Borno State and the Christian Association of Nigeria.
The statement added that the meeting also had in attendance representatives of the Federation of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Association of Christian Widows, Association of Muslim Widows, the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), selected female professionals that included university lecturers, political appointees and the Principal of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok.
It said that a copy of the communique issued at the end of the meeting was communicated to the first lady.
”The fact of the matter is that Hajiya Nana Shettima is right now in Chibok, she has met with parents of the abducted schoolgirls to offer support to them.
”Some of the parents have been discovered to have health challenges that will be immediately addressed.
”Mrs Shettima left today (Monday) for Chibok after she was finally given a security clearance that was delayed since last week for operational reasons.
”The Governor’s wife has the highest respect for the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and couldn’t have done anything to disrespect her.
”The First Lady and her confidants can bear testimony to how respectful and obedient the governor’s wife has been to her in the last three years and how she promptly attends to all events related to the First Lady however inconvenient.
”The Governor’s wife regards the First Lady as a mother given her age and position as mother of the nation”, the statement said.
Information Nigeria had earlier reported that Mrs. Jonathan accused the Borno governor’s wife of being less concerned about the fate of the missing girls, saying “we cannot cry more than the bereaved”.
Mr. & Mrs. Shettima you should know that the security of your state rest on your shoulder than the federal govt, that is why you’re been paid security vote. So we expect you to do more than anybody.
SO U KNOW D PARENTS AND WE CANNOT KNOW DEM ABI? OR U WENT TO MAKE ARANGMENT OF D PEOPLE DAT WIL CLAIM TO B D PARENTS. PLS TEL US D TRUTH.
Dis Frank sef, u have a tiny brain, no need explaining to a dumb head like urs….mumu
jigawa OR WHAT I AM BEGINING TO SUSPECT U. U MUST B A MENBEBER OF DIS GROUP BCOS AL UR RESPONSES IN EVERY ISSUE IS EITHER ANTI GOOLUCK OR LADY JONATHAN OR ANTI IGBO OR ANTI SOUTHERN NIGERIA OR ANTI NIGER DELTA OR ANTI CHRISTIAN ALWAYS NEGATIVE. WHY? ARE U OK? CANT U FOR ONCE B POSITIVE IN THINKING? U AR A SUSPECT.0U WIL SOON B CAUGHT START RUNNING NOW.o.o.o.o. BASTARD.
The first lady call u to help u fine ur missing Childs and u no come Chia there is God ooooo, this bloods share u people re sharing in borno God is watching us… Chia there is God oo there is God oooo… Chia there is God oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lol… why are you insulting Mr Badluck Jonathan’s wife like that? That’s disrespectful tho! Yo you’ve got to show some respect man. However, remember there is God ooo… so don’t be a rude to your mama.
Nigerians should stop thinking for them selves alone because a tree does not make a forest. Oh this country of ours that our daddy in Heaven put all of us, rich in all riches in our reaches but the wishes of men has generally moved every inches of our faith. We have really tried but let us not give up all of us should seek to this as a country… boko haram must die!!
You and your husband knows well about the kidnap school girls, you are among the game planners… You think we don’t know? Your cup will fill soon… Fools
Shakau do u think that all this things when ur doing is right? Think that ur Cheat us Islam in Maiduguri if u want 2 do Jihad go and read the qur an b4 ur doing the Jihad. If u want 2 do Jihad do it with Khuffar is not be Muslim and Muslim.