The Federal Government has fulfilled the fresh condition given by the Bring Back Our Girls Group to accept the offer to travel with the team heading for the NE to witness first-hand the military’s ongoing search for the Chibok Girls.
Abusidiqu had reported that the BBOG had rescinded it’s earlier decision not to accept the offer until the fulfillment of certain conditions and had even nominated four members of the group to be a part of the tour.
Although the report stated that the government is yet to confirm the decision of the group, further details available to Abusidiqu indicates that the BBOG at about 8:20pm Sunday evening communicated to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, its decision to accept the offer to travel with the team.
However, the group requested the FG to furnish it with more details of the tour duration and detailed logistics including the names of the local and international media on the delegation.
“We need those information to enable us send you a more substantial letter conveying our acceptance to join the “Guided Tour”, leader of the Group, Oby Ezekwesili said in her communication to the FG.
On its part, the Federal Government expressed gladness for the willingness of the group to reconsider its decision not to join the trip.
It said: “the trip will last two days, starting on Monday, 16 Jan. 2017. The team will be ferried to Yola by the
Nigerian Air Force, from where a select group will join the NAF search mission to Sambisa”
On the list of the local and international journalists accompanying the team, the FG listed Stanley Nwosu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Fred Ayo and Anthony Forson of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as well as Solomon Chung of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).
Others listed include Amaka Okafor and Kabiru Owoyomi of Channels TV, Ariyo Obagbemile FMIC Photographer. Felix Onuah (Reuters), Rotimi Jikanmi (NAN), and Ola Awoniyi of AFP.
The FG further added that while The Times of London Correspondent is on standby, Sola Fabiyi of Punch Newspapers, Samson Adeleke of CCT (To syndicate video to international broadcasters), Joseph Mutah of CPS and Seun of The Nation would also be on the trip.
The FG gave details of the programme of the tour to include Arrival on Monday do the exercise and depart Tuesday for Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR). It said the programme is broadly ISR Day/ Night – planning brief, Flight over Sambisa, debrief, ex wash up / Media Interview.
