7 April 2017

Today is Day 1089 since schoolgirls of Government Secondary School, Chibok were abducted in their school by terrorist; 57 escaped, 24 returned, 195 of them remain missing. It is Day 674 of their captivity under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch, and Day 1079 of consistent daily advocacy for their return. In exactly 7 days it will be 3 years since the tragic events of that night, as 195 of our girls remain in captivity.

Words cannot express our utmost disappointment at the Government of Nigeria’s abysmally poor handling of this matter with a compete disconnect, lack of commitment and sincerity in pursuing this matter. None of the purported commitments of the government right from inception has been followed through sincerely, thoughtfully, professionally, or with empathy. We fail to understand why this is so, however we remain undeterred in our demand. Today we commence activities to mark 3 years of the abduction and continued captivity of our daughters and sisters with a Global Week of Action with the theme (and hashtag) #3YearsTooLong: #NoMoreExcuses.

The government of Nigeria has treated the issue of our Chibok girls like their lives do not matter. Empty promises are made without fulfilling, and without accountability for the said promises. In October 2016 the world was told that 83 more of our girls were on their way out of captivity, up until now no comprehensive update has been given on that promise. That last time the federal government made a cursory remark on the issue was in January this year. President Muhammadu Buhari on 14 January 2016 authorised the set up of yet another investigation into the abduction, nothing has come out of that pronouncement, as the federal government denied our Freedom of Information (FOI) request to access the report of the Presidential Committee that investigated into the abduction (General Sabo Committee) in 2014. These are 2 of innumerable instances. Of the 24 who are back, the media reports only about 21, where are the other 3? The reports are not much to depend on, as the parents have also been reported to be in complete darkness on the update about their daughters.

This Global Week of Action is in essence a reiteration that ‘Enough is Enough’, No More Excuses, Bring Back Our Girls! Now and Alive!! Close to 2 years ago during our Global Week of Action to mark Day 500 of the abduction, our theme was ‘500 Days is too long’. Today, sadly we are reiterating on the third year of the abduction, we have no intention of repeating this. #3YearsTooLong: #NoMoreExcuses #BringBackOurGirls.

This Global Week of Action shall be marked in cities in Nigeria (Lagos and Abuja), New York, Paris, etc; and shall run for 7 straight days as usual. Kindly view website www.bringbackourgirls.ng to see details and to participate. In Abuja where activities commenced today with Asr (Islamic) prayers, we shall have duo marches by different sets eminent personalities, celebrities, Chibok mothers, et al from Unity Fountain to the State House every day with the theme #IMarchForChibokGirls. Those who have indicated their commitment include His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Sheikh Nura Khalid, Ali Baba GCFR, Banky W, etc. Other events include treeplanting, a workshop on the Missing Persons Register, an initiative of our movement which is being worked on in collaboration with the federal government and her relevant agencies: the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Police Force, and others. The events will be capped on Friday 14 April with the Inaugural #ChibokGirls Annual Lecture: ‘Where Goes the Girl-Child there Goes the Nation’ to be delivered by His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II CON, a well-recognised advocate for girl-child liberation/ empowerment and education. The event shall be eminently chair by Professor Grace Alele-Williams, the first Nigerian female to receive a doctoral degree, first Nigerian female professor of mathematics education, and the first female to be a vice chancellor of a university in Africa. (Kindly find details on our website).

Kindly make plans to participate. #3YearsTooLong: #NoMoreExcuses #BringBackOurGirls. Would you be silent if your daughter went missing for 3 years?

“MR PRESIDENT, NO MORE EXCUSES!’

‘MR PRESIDENT, NO MORE DELAYS!!’

‘MR PRESIDENT, DECIDE NOW!!!’

‘MR PRESIDENT, ACT NOW, WE WANT RESULTS!!!’

Signed: For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls

AISHA YESUFU

OBY EZEKWESILI