#Bringbackourgirls: Mass Kidnap of Schoolgirls in Nigeria an Unconscionable act - Michelle Obama

The mass kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria was an “unconscionable act” of terror against the education of girls, US First Lady Michelle Obama said Saturday.

Speaking in her husband’s place during President Barack Obama’s weekly Saturday morning address, Michelle Obama said that this violence “was not an isolated incident … it’s a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions.”

“Like millions of people across the globe,” Michelle Obama said, “my husband and I are outraged and heartbroken over the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian girls from their school dormitory in the middle of the night.

“This unconscionable act was committed by a terrorist group determined to keep these girls from getting an education – grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls.”

On April 14, 276 schoolgirls were abducted in the northeastern Nigerian town of Chibook, and the kidnapping of eight more girls from Warabe on May 5. Three weeks later 223 girls are still missing.

The Islamist terror group Boko Haram claimed responsibility, and threatened to “sell” the girls into slavery.

“In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters. We see their hopes, their dreams – and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now,” Michelle Obama said.

Obama praised the courage of the parents to send the girls to school despite the threats, and of the girls going to class knowing “full well the dangers they might encounter.”

The girls were “determined to one day build careers of their own and make their families and communities proud,” she said.

Obama evoked the example of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl who “spoke out for girls’ education in her community … and as a result, she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman while on a school bus with her classmates.”

The courage of Malala “and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action” because “more than 65 million girls worldwide are not in school.

“Yet, we know that girls who are educated make higher wages, lead healthier lives, and have healthier families,” thus boosting “their country’s entire economy.”

US presidents issue a weekly radio address on a subject of their choosing. A video version is also posted on the White House website each Saturday.

Michelle Obama has appeared alongside her husband during the addresses, but this is the first time that she spoke alone.

Earlier this week, she expressed solidarity with the kidnap victims, tweeting a photograph of herself holding a placard bearing the slogan #BringBackOurGirls, the hashtag used as the rallying cry for a viral campaign calling for the schoolgirls’ return.

Seven military officials along with a State Department expert arrived in Nigeria on Friday to help search for the girls. Three FBI personnel and four others were due to arrive Saturday.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday described the kidnapping as “heartbreaking” and “outrageous.”

 

#Bringbackourgirls: Mass Kidnap of Schoolgirls in Nigeria an Unconscionable act - Michelle Obama

Schoolgirls’ abduction will end terrorism in Nigeria – Jonathan

WEF: ‘Major blow to Boko Haram’ 

From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE‎,

AbujaThe Founder of World Economic Forum (WEF), Klaus Schwab, said in Abuja yesterday that the hosting of this years’s event in Nigeria was a blow to terrorism. He said the world should not allow insurgents dictate global economic agenda. Schoolgirls’ abduction will end terrorism in Nigeria –Jonathanhis is even as President Goodluck Jonathan restated commendation for world leaders and over 1,000 participants for attending the forum on Africa. He said their attendance was a major setback to Boko Haram which had increased its attacks recently. The President noted that the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State was the beginning of the end of terrorism in Nigeria.

Jonathan said at the opening of the plenary session which was on-locking job-creating growth, that if the participants had stayed away the terrorists would have jubilated and emboldened to create more havoc.

He said, “Nigeria is proud to host this event for the first time the conference is coming to West Africa.

“Let me use this unique opportunity to appreciate you for accepting to come. As a nation, we are facing attacks of terrorists. Let me appreciate you individually and collectively in your support for us, your sentiments and by your presence here in Nigeria at this time. You have already supported us to win the war on terror.

“The government of China promised assistance and I believe that assistance will come almost immediately. The governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France have spoken with me and expressed their commitments towards resolving this crisis in Nigeria.

“I believe that the kidnapping of  these girls will be the beginning of the end of terror in Nigeria”, Jonathan said.

Supporting Nigeria’s fight against terror, Schwab‎ said: “We cannot allow terrorism to dictate our agenda. For this reason, I am grateful to you because I know some of you hesitated. I am very thankful that only few people cancelled their participation. Again, I thank you for supporting this programme”.

The WEF Founder who called for  for a minute silence to express solidarity and feelings for the victims and families with the hope and prayers that the abducted girls are coming back and safe to their homes, thanked participants for  expressing their feelings and solidarity.

On the purpose of the event, ‎Schwab said: “We are also here because we believe that the economic growth without social stability, without social inclusion is not sustainable. On the other hand, social development is not also possible without economic growth. That is why in this programme, we put a lot of emphasis on the components which create social inclusions, the creation of jobs and the development of agriculture. I could go on and on.

“‎All the facets are reflected in the programme. It underlines particularly the need for good governance and best practices. We all know that those challenges could only be solved by collaborative efforts of stakeholders of the society”.

Schwab said the gathering was not just about  the representatives of the highest level of government, business but also civil societies,  and particularly also the young voices.

According to him, the Forum was not “the usual conference of dialogue where we discuss matters. This is a big action-orientated based programme ‎where most of the participants are part of the working processes. We want to deliver ‎results.

“We have seen in many sessions yesterday related to agriculture in Africa, this morning session will be devoted to developing infrastructure

“But my wish for this meeting is to all engage your minds, actions and to make sure that the promise Africa holds is fulfilled not only in the interest of its people but in the interest of the world”.

On the importance of job creation, Jonathan who noted that 24 per cent of the youths were unemployed, noted that the need to create jobs was a global problem.

He said that Africa has unemployment challenges, putting the percentage rate at about 20 per cent, adding that “‎In Africa, our unemployment problem is compounded by our youth population. And of course, this is very critical because that is the population that needs houses, that need a lot of support.

“In that case, African leaders have a lot of challenges. At the age of 20, many of them are still going to school pursuing post-graduate qualifications. That means there are challenges in providing facilities.

“African leaders are preoccupied with how to create jobs for young graduates going into the labour market.

“For us in Nigeria, job creation has been the main focus of our ongoing  Transformation Agenda which is a programme to mobilise and diversify the Nigerian economy.

“Job creation is one of the concerns that keeps me up at night. It has been the main focus of our budget in a way that it creates jobs for the people.

“We recognise that the private sector will be the engine of growth and job creation and we are putting in place the necessary conditions to see that this private sector, stable economic environment, checking inflation, providing infrastructure like roads, railway, power  and aviation and investing in the development of skills”, Jonathan said.

Schoolgirls’ abduction will end terrorism in Nigeria – Jonathan

Abducted girls: FG opens Information gathering centre

By Ehi Ekhator

In an effort to reduce the national insecurity in Nigeria, the Federal Government has set up a 24 hours information gathering centre that will be responsible for information gathering and dissemination in the government’s effort to bring back the abducted girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

The Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe has disclosed while speaking on CNN on the government plans at fighting terrorism and effort made to rescue the over 220 students abducted by the Boko Haram insurgetns.

According to Doyin, the Federal Government is restless on its oars as more than 1000 troops are on their way to Borno State.

Okupe also stressed that President Jonathan discussed with US Secretary of State, John Kerry, on how US could assist Nigeria in the rescue, adding that Nigeria has accepted the offer.

Though Okupe pointed that there is shortage in the fight against terrorism in the country, but insisted that the government is working around the clock to make sure that the girls are rescued home, and joined with their parents.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, on the other hand, revealed that the security forces have arrested some suspects in connection with the bomb attack at Nyanya motor park and are currently assisting in the investigations.

Abducted girls: FG opens Information gathering centre

Abducted girls in Chibok: FG has disappointed us - Parents cry out

Chibok – The community where the 234 girls were abducted from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, and their parents are still living in shock over the sudden disappearance of their children.

The Parents and the elders in the community have yesterday expressed disappointment over Federal Government “promise and fail” attitude, saying that the government has failed for not able to rescue their kids from Sambisa forest two weeks after their abduction.

According to the leader of the Chibok Elders Forum (CHEF) Dr. Pogu Bitrus, 43 girls managed to escap from their kidnappers and more than 100 girls are still missing in the forest.

“We are not aware of any serious effort by the Federal Government to secure the release of the girls. We heard that the military moved troops to the forests some days ago but we don’t know what they are doing. All we know is that 234 of our daughters are in captivity. The Federal Government is supposed to provide security and welfare of its citizens but it has failed us in that respect since it has failed to rescue our children,” Bitrus said.

“We started having hope when the President hosted the expanded Security Council meeting where they said they were all committed to seeing that the girls were released but up till today (yesterday) nothing has happened. We are still waiting and we have surrendered everything to God but the government should know that it has the primary responsibility to its citizens to secure the release of the girls and return them to their parents.”

He added: “Government has not provided succour to the parents. It is very disappointing when I read in the papers that America is trying to assist. What is wrong with Nigeria? We have a lot of unanswered questions and as parents we are still waiting for what government will do for its citizens. It is getting to two weeks now when these poor girls were kidnapped from their school.

 

Abducted girls in Chibok: FG has disappointed us - Parents cry out

Abduction of school girls : Women call for protest in Abuja

 

The Nation – Women are set to mount a massive protest for the release of the 234 girls abducted by Book Haram insurgents on April 15.

An all-red attired women will march on Abuja on Wednesday to press for the release of the girls kidnapped from their hostel at the Government Secondary School, Chibok.

Prof. Hauwa Abdu Biu hinted yesterday of the planned protest in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during an emergency meeting convened by the wife of the governor, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima.

The meeting was on the way forward for the release of the school girls.

Prof. Biu, speaking last week on behalf of the Coalition of Borno Women, said women were ready to storm the Sambisa forest where the girls are believed to be held, to secure their freedom.

Yesterday, she told the meeting that the march, which will be tagged “Free our girls”, will involve women all over the country. She urged the wife of the governor to mobilise women to Abuja for the rally.

“The last time we were in black, but this time around, the colour for the Abuja rally is red. So we should all be prepared and mobilised for the rally,” she added.

Hajia Shettima urged wives of the service chiefs in the state and at the federal level to mount pressure on their husbands to intensify efforts towards rescuing the girls.

“I want to seek this opportunity to appeal to women of security chiefs at the national and state levels to mount pressure on your spouses to intensify effort to rescue our dear children. However, I feel it is necessary to call on all women in Borno to come up with their resolutions and harmonise them.

“Let us all put our differences aside, irrespective of our faith and ethnic group. Let us all join hands to rescue these girls. I know that we can do it. Almighty Allah is with us. He knows our intention,” she said, sobbing.

The governor’s wife recalled that she received a call from First Lady Patience Jonathan two days ago and “I believe she is also with us”.

Other women urged the Federal Government and the security agencies to intensify efforts towards rescuing the girls.

But Mrs Aisha Wakil, a member of the defunct Lemu panel on Boko Haram and other insurgents, called for restraint.

According to her, the use of force in rescuing the girls might not achieve the objective.

Wives of military chiefs in the state, officials of non- governmental organisations, representatives of Federation of Muslims Women Associations (FOMWAN), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other categories of women attended the meeting.

However, there were strong indications last night that troops night have gained access to a part of the Sambisa Forest.

Also, many volunteers have been feeding the military with information on how to locate the abducted girls, according to sources.

Some of the clues confirmed intelligence report that the girls were being spread across camps and cells by the insurgents to serve as shields.

A military source said: “There is progress in the search for the girls. The troops have been able to gain access to a part of Sambisa Forest even though it is a difficult terrain. This development will help in penetrating the forest not only for rescuing the girls but for the entire operation in Borno State.

“In the next few days, we will be able to confirm whether the girls were still holed up in the Forest or elsewhere. But so far, many informants have been assisting the military with clues.

“We are taking advantage of the clues to coordinate operations in the area and movement of troops.”

Defence Information Director Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade said “the search for the girls is still ongoing.”

Also yesterday, The Nation learnt that the ongoing probe into the Nyanya, Abuja bomb explosion, has led to the recovery of some vital components of the Improvised Explosive Devices used by the suicide members.

Another source added: “The investigative team briefed some security chiefs on Friday. They have been able to recover some items used for the IEDs.

“These items are being analysed to find out if they have bearing with the types being used by Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, the Taliban or Al-Sabab. It will also assist the government if these items were locally assembled.

“The outcome of the forensic analysis can provide clues on how to trace the perpetrators whether they are in clusters or just individuals.”

Also yesterday, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State vowed to support the military to end terrorism and bring back peace to the state.

Two members of the youth vigilance group made the promise on Sunday in Maiduguri in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mr Abubakar Mamuda, the chairman of the group in Gomari-Airport Area of Maiduguri, said they were compelled to join the military to fight the insurgents because Borno was their state.

He said they decided to support the security agencies to ensure Borno was safe for their parents and relations since they had no other place to call their own.

“We are trying to protect our heritage and our state since we have no other place to call our own.

“Nobody forced us, we just volunteered to do it, we started some months ago and people ran away and left us hoping that members of Boko Haram will kill us.

“Members of the group that started the operation were few because the people were scared of Boko Haram; there is a lot of improvement now and we are happy,’’ he said.

Mamuda praised the Federal Government for deploying the military to Borno, adding that the group had gained a lot of experience working with the military.

Another member, Mallam Hassan Mohammed, said the group was doing the job because it desired that peace should return to Borno.

“We want peace to return to Borno as our parents, brothers and sisters live here in Maiduguri and we are not happy as we were being killed unjustly.

“So, we decided to assist the security agencies to curb the security challenges,” Mohammed said.

Abduction of school girls : Women call for protest in Abuja

Boko Haram: Military alleged rescue of some abducted students

By Ehi Ekhator

The Nigerian military has said on Wednesday that some female students abducted by the dreaded Boko Haram members have been rescued.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade. The military revealed that some girls were freed on Wednesday after the troops chased some insurgents into their hideout.

Though Mr. Olukolade confirmed that about 129 girls were abudcted, he did not give the number of girls rescued by his team. It is not cleared if the said freed girls are the same as those who had escaped from their kidnappers.

Nigerians, UK, China and other parts of the country have condemned the abduction of the students and urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to make sure they are brought back to their families.

Naija Center News (NCN)  had earlier published that more than a 100 students were abducted on Tuesday from Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State. The girls were said to be kidnapped on Monday night. Information gathered revealed that two security officers attached to the school were killed in the process.

The girls were abducted days after their resumption, preparing for their final exams which was scheduled to be held next week.

In another incident in Wukari, Taraba State, the spokesperson revealed that the troops sent to restore peace in the community have arrested 14 gunmen who took part in the attack on Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.

Though police had confirmed that about seven people lost their lives in the attack, but the residents said the casualty was more than revealed.

He said that the violence resulted in the burning of more than 20 houses and rendered more than 200 people homeless

Mr. Olukolade said that the troops discovered a building where arms were being fabricated.

He disclosed that one sub machine gun, four single barrel guns, four locally fabricated machine guns and 21 live cartridges were recovered from the building.

He revealed that peace has returned since the troops were sent there to patrol the area.

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Boko Haram: Military alleged rescue of some abducted students