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On the second anniversary of the abduction of Chibok school girls, President Muhammadu Buhari has said he understands the trauma, parents of the school girls were going through, saying, he shares in their pains and will spare no effort to ensure the safe return of the girls.

In a statement by his media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, Thursday, to mark the second anniversary of their abduction, the President stated that with the intensified efforts of both his government and the armed forces, the girls would be rescued and returned home.

The statement read in part: “On the second anniversary of the kidnap of the girls, President Buhari affirms that, as a parent and leader of the country, he understands the torment, frustration and anxiety of the parents and will not spare any effort to ensure the safe return of the girls.

“The President continues to believe that with the total commitment of the Federal Government, Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, and the support of the international community, the girls will be eventually rescued.

“President Buhari notes that thousands of persons, mostly women and children, who were kidnapped by Boko Haram, have already been rescued and reunited with their families. He shares the hope of the parents that the Chibok girls will ultimately be rescued and reunited with their families as well.

“The President assures the parents that the Federal Government and security agencies will continue to explore all possible options for the safe return of the girls. “President Buhari urges the parents to continue to exercise patience and understanding as the government works diligently to ensure that the girls return home unharmed.

“The President thanks all Nigerians, religious and civil organizations, and the international community for their continued sympathy, support and prayers for the return of the Chibok girls.” In another development, president Buhari has also pledged to build viable cities such that could be likened to Chinese city of Shanghai for more economic activities.

At separate meetings in China with the Mayor of the Chinese city of Shanghai, Mr. Yang Xiong and the Director of Shanghai Free Trade Zone, Liu Fangzhou on Thursday, President Buhari said the Federal Government would give full support to Free Trade and Export Processing Zones in the country to spur rapid economic development.

Visiting the Shanghai Free Trade Zone in China, the president that Nigeria was prepared to learn from other developed cities in the world. “We have already identified the development of infrastructure which will bring industries that create jobs and help us to diversify the economy. “We are going to work hard to achieve these within the period we have in office. Nigerians will see progress and feel the impact,” the President said.

In his remarks, the Mayor of Shanghai expressed the willingness of several Chinese businesses to key into the vision of the Chinese President Xi Jinping for Africa by investing in Nigeria.

This was even as the Director of the Free Trade Zone commended the effort of the Nigerian government towards the diversification of the economy and encouraged the country to focus on a favorable policy environment to encourage foreign investors.