15th April, 2015
Activities designed to mark the one year anniversary of the kidnapped 276 girls from Chibok, Borno state continued in Abuja on Tuesday with the march of 219 girls, tagged ambassadors of the #Bringbackourgirls (BBOG) group to the Federal Ministry of Education headquarters.
The 219 girls represented the 219 Chibok girls who are believed to be in Boko Haram captivity one year after their abduction from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno state.
The march, which was part of a Week of Global Action organized to commemorate the abduction was organized by #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG campaign group.
The march was led by one of the kidnapped girls who later escaped from the captivity of the terrorists identified as Miss Rebecca John.
The 219 girls involved in the march each carried a placard with each name of a student that was abducted by Boko Haram as they walked from Unity Fountain where the BBOG group had used as a base to press for the release of the abductees in the past one year to the headquarters of the Ministry of Education.
However, the door of the Ministry was locked against the protesters for about 45 minutes. But when the children persisted chanting and demanding to speak with the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, some officials of the Ministry led by Acting Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education, Dr. Muhammed Bello Umar was sent to receive them.
While addressing the officials, Rebecca who was accompanied by Christina Iliyah, another of the girls who were able to escape from Boko Haram custody lamented the inability of government to rescue the girls one year later.
“They kidnapped our friends, sisters and classmates and today is exactly a year and yet, they are not yet rescued, why?
“They kidnapped our friends, sisters and classmates and today is exactly a year and yet, they are not yet rescued, why? Some people don’t believe we were kidnapped up till now? It is sad. We didn’t know they were Boko Haram, we wouldn’t have followed them.
The State and Federal Government has not been taking us very us serious and that is why they have refused to rescue our friends. We are very sad because the Federal government promised us that they were going to rescue our girls but up till now they are not yet back,” she added amidst sobs.
Amina Ismail, another girl who participated in the march asked the President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retired) to do everything to ensure that the girls are rescued immediately he is sworn in.
She accused the Jonathan administration of failing the children of Nigeria by taking the rescue of the girls with levity.
Dr Umar however assured the girls that the Ministry of Education and all the relevant agencies of the government are committed in ensuring the rescue of the remaining 219 girls that are yet to be released by Boko Haram.
“The Ministry and the Federal government is very passionate about anything that has to do with education and we are with you every step of the way and will continue to be with you. And would do whatever it takes to get the girls rescued. I want to assure you that the government is doing everything possible to ensure the release of the girls sooner or later,” he said.
The BBOG had also on Monday marched around Abuja with tapes on their lips to signify the silence of the government on the rescue of the girls.