24th May, 2014
AFP
Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, former Minister of Sports and Special Duties, has suspended his 63rd birthday anniversary celebration because of the continued abduction of some schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno.
In a statement, issued in Ibadan on Saturday, the former minister said that he would focus on prayers for the release of the students.
Adedoja said that he would turn 63 on May 27 (Children’s Day), but would not be able to celebrate the feat because some of the children he should celebrate with were held captive.
“As I turn 63, it is very disturbing that some of the children from Chibok that are supposed to be celebrating with us are still being held captive by the Boko Haram group.
“In view of the agony and pains being experienced by the girls’ parents, guardians and Nigerians in general, I have suspended the usual activities relating to my birthday.
“I hereby focus on intensive prayers for the release of the girls,” he said.
He commended the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan in combating terrorism in the country.
The former minister urged all Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day to intensify prayers for the release of the schoolgirls.
Boko Haram sect abducted more than 200 students of the Government Girls’ College, Chibok, on 14 April.