by Chi Ibe

Tomorrow will make it 100 days since 276 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State. 57 escaped, while 219 of these children are yet to return home.

It took the Federal Government days to sweep into action after the girls were kidnapped; an action that was described by Nigerians and the international community as a neglect on its citizens.

In an attempt by citizens to rescue the abducted girls, the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) Campaign was initiated which was joined by the international community.

A statement issued by coordinators of the BBOG and signed by Hadiza Bala Usman, former Special Assistant to Nasir El-Rufai; Vice President of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili; Aisha Oyebode, Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, Betty Anyanwy-Akeredolu, Amina Hanga, and Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi, read; “Through our various meetings, our singular message has been to demand that the Federal Government perform its fundamental duty of ensuring the security and the welfare of its citizens. As we denounce the wave of terror and insecurity across the country, we continue to demand that the Federal Government deploy its resources to ensure that the missing girls are brought home, and the errors leading from three-weeks of delayed action are remedied.

“Citizens who have insisted on standing with our girls and ensuring they are not forgotten are heartbroken that our daughters and sisters are about to spend 100 days with their evil captors.”

The group has called on Nigerians for a peaceful march tomorrow in order to amplify the voices of several Nigerians demanding that the kidnapped girls be brought home.

“On the 100th day, there will be a variety of activities around the world. These include Ibadan: Press Conference at the BRECAN Centre at 10 am; Abuja: Special sit-out ceremony at the Unity Fountain at 3 pm; Lagos: Remembrance service at the Wall of Missing Girls at Falomo Roundabout at 4pm; New York: Candlelight vigil at the Nigerian Consulate at 5.30pm,”

“There will also be events in India, Pakistan, the UK and most world capitals where there are teachers’ organisations in partnership with the UN Special Envoy’s Office of Gordon Brown. Organisations participating are World at School, Girls not Brides, Global March Against Child Labour, Walk Free, Educational International and ITa.”

The statement also stated that the continued pattern of intolerance to the activities of the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign is at variance with the group’s effort to promote healthy civic engagement by citizens to strengthen the resolve of government to rescue the girls.

“As days become weeks and months and our girls are separated from their parents and their community, our singular focus remains on their safe return in the shortest possible time.”

Sola