In Nigeria, It's NOT a Happy Children's Day.

First of all, I’ll like to wish every children on planet earth a Happy Children’s day. Regardless of my post title, we can’t deny that May 27 has been set aside to celebrate children worldwide. So, If you’re a mother, sister, Father, brother reading this. My heartfelt prayer is for God to continue to keep our children, give wings to their dreams. May they grow in stature and wisdom and may they continue to lighten out faces with happiness.
Today makes it 43 days that over 200 Nigerian children were abducted in their school by members of terrorist sect, Boko Haram. Over 200 children whose only crime was to concede to the idea of education. Today, over 200 girls are in danger, over 100 parents and families are in anguish and pain. Every child has a right to education. Why should their cases be different?
In Nigeria, it’s NOT a happy Children’s Day. Where are these effervescent children we see, who should be home, running errands, taken to amusement places, visiting friends trying out new clothes, taking photographs or just being showered with love? We can’t talk to the terrorists, but we shouldn’t lose our voices to the government because it is its responsibility.
Today, I join my heart with parents whose faces have not known sleep since this sad news was broken to them. Parents whose attention are glued to their TV screens and radio day and night for news about the safe return of their children. Today I say a painful RIP to the mother who developed an heart attack and died after learning of her child’s abduction and those who might be going through an ailment, diagnosed with hypertension or probably hospitalized.
In Nigeria, it’s NOT a Happy Children’s Day, no child should be afraid to pursue a brighter future. There are low-key celebrations in some states today, learnt some children have even decided to boycott any form of fanfare. Some are wearing red today just to show solidarity; to stand by the miserable Chibok girls today.
In Nigeria, it’s NOT a Happy Children’s Day. We are deeply saddened. In Nigeria, it’s NOT a Happy Children’s Day. They have suffered enough. We join our hearts with families out there, pray and simply ask the government to help #BringBackOurGirls.

#BringBackOurGirls: 15 year-old survivor speaks on how she was forced to watch her father and brother die

There’s nothing as traumatising as watching your loved ones die right in front of you. May God continue to help our nation. Deborah Peter, a Boko Haram survivor who now lives in Virginia, USA has lent her voice to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Speaking during a presentation organized by members of the US congress yesterday May 21st, 2014 , the 15 year-old held up a #BringBackMySisters” paper sign narrated her ordeal in the hands of the terrorist sect, Boko Haram.

According to her, on the evening of December 22 2011, three members of Boko haram shot her Pastor Father 3 times on the chest after he refused to deny his faith, her brother Caleb too was killed in similar fashion. Deborah was asked her to lie in between their corpses till the next morning. A local Pastor who rescued her and paid for her transportation out of the region was also killed.

Her thoughts on Boko Haram, “It’s a hard question. I think they’re bad. I can’t judge them. The Bible says do not judge.”

She continued, “I decided to tell the world my story when the Chibok girls were taken because everyone needs to know how horrible Boko Haram is. They kill innocent people who never hurt them. I want the world to understand what happened to me. I hope the kidnapped Chibok girls will take courage from my story, and know more of what God says, and know what it means to stand strong in the face of bad people.” She added.

#BringBackOurGirls: Read some Americans' views about President Goodluck Jonathan/Our Government.

The #BringBackOurGirls campaign, needless to say has gone and is still going global. It has been driven on social media platforms by concerned citizens of Nigeria as well as high-profile figures in the world. However amidst the overwhelming support left, right and centre, some Americans have pointed accusing fingers at our President as well as government. According to them, the government’s inaction and ineptitude (especially in fishing out these terrorists and mounting a rescue operation) is to a large extent be blamed for the kidnapping. Isn’t that like stating the obvious?

#BringBackOurGirls: Mikel Obi lends support (Photo)

I’m not too sure but I think Mikel Obi is the first or only Nigerian footballer who has lent his voice to the ongoing #BringBackOurGirls campaign geared towards the freedom of the over 200 school girls abducted by terrorist sect, Boko Haram, a month ago.

#BringBackOurGirls: See photos of kidnapped school girls

Photos of the over 200 girls, abducted by terrorist organization, Boko Haram has surfaced. Well, the clips were taken while the video was aired on TV. The girls who are reportedly being held in about 6 locations have all converted to Islam. According to Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. Excerpts from the video.

“The girls you occupy yourselves with, we have liberated them…they are now Muslims. We will never release them unless our brethren are released. It’s been 4-5 years you held our brethren and torturing them. And now you talk about these girls. Those who accept the faith, we’ll treat them well. We will not release the girls until you free our brothers”

#BringBackOurGirls: List of foreign celebs who have lent voices (Photos)

As the Bring Back Our Girls campaign towards the release of over 200 abducted school girls in Chibok Borno by terrorist organization, Boko Haram intensifies, here are some of the high-profile figures in foreign countries who have shown their support/solidarity to our ailing country Nigeria.

From actors, singers to news men all over the world, these are celebrities who have carried placards with the #BringBackOurGirls caption, tweeted, posted instagram and facebook posts, some even held rallies. The list is longer than this, would update it as time goes on.

Michelle Obama, Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Ellen DeGenres, Piers Morgan, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Russel Simmons, Shona Rhimes, Keke Palmer, Alicia Keys, Leona Lewis, Janelle Monae, Aisha Sesay, Justin Timberlake, Trey Songz, Kardashian sisters, Drake, P-Diddy, Kevin Hart, Wendy Williams, Naomi Campbell, Anthony Hamilton, Forest Whitaker, Malal Yousafzai, Karrueche Tran Mafikizolo, Mel Bala and other concerned members of the world.

#BringBackOurGirls: Photos from London protest

It’s not yet over until it is finally over!
The #BringBackOurGirls London, protest for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, took place in front of Nigeria High Commission in London few days back.

#BringBackOurGirls: Photos from Lagos protest

The #BringBackOurGirls Ikeja, Lagos protest for the release of the over 200 girls abducted by Islamic sect, Boko Haram, took place today, May 5, 2014. Spotted at the peaceful rally include Omoni Oboli, Betty Irabor Mo Abudu, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Sasha and other concerned citizens of Nigeria.

#Bringbackourgirls: US offers to help Nigeria search for abducted school children

We can’t fight this alone. We are incapable of dealing with our own problems, we need help from all quarters. There are protests on the streets of lagos, Abuja, London etc, via social media with the use of #Bringbackourgirls hashtag. The second Nyanya bomb blast is a clever but failed attempt to divert our attention from the issue at hand but we will overcome this.
According to Reuters, the United States has condemned the abduction of over 200 school girls abducted by Boko haram in Nigeria few weeks ago and has even offered to help Nigeria in its search for them. Marie Harf, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a daily briefing.
We have been engaged with the Nigerian government in discussions on what we might do to help support their efforts to find and free these young women. We will continue to have those discussions and help in any way we can. We know Boko Haram is active in the area and we have worked very closely with the Nigerian government to build their capacity to fight this threat.”
She added, “In fiscal year 2012, the United States provided over $20 million in security assistance to Nigeria, part of that to build the country’s military, boost its capacity to investigate terrorist attacks and enhance the government’s forensic capabilities.”
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, the chairman of the Senate’s African Affairs subcommittee also noted. “The U.S. and the international community must work with the Nigerian government to ensure these girls are reunited with their families and deepen efforts to combat the growing threat posed by Boko Haram.”
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