Women in UK Remember Chibok Schoolgirls

Nigerians in the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, marked the first year of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls with a rally opposite the Nigerian High Commission, in London.

With chants of: All we are saying, bring back our girls, all we are saying, bring back our girls, the rally, organised by the Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum (NWDLF ), is the 11th edition to be held by the organisation, since the schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents  on April 14, 2014.

The rally started at 5pm, with prominent NWDLF members, including the former Mayor of Enfield, Councillor Kate Anolue; former Speaker of Hackney Council, Councillor Susan Fajana-Thomas and NWDLF chairperson, Jenny Chika Okafor.

With a small gathering of people in attendance, the protesters also chanted, What do we want? While others answered, Our girls. When do we want them? Chants of Now! followed.

In a letter to President  Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and the incoming government of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), which the protesters delivered to a representative of the Nigerian High Commission, NWDLF,  through its president,  Chika Okafor, stated “It is one year since our Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram.

“Since their abduction, NWDLF, being a group for women of great conscience, who are passionate about the wellbeing of every Nigerian and, in particular, the rights of women, have been, tirelessly, campaigning for the safe return of the girls”, it added.

The organisation noted further that: “In order to achieve our aim of keeping them in the eyes of the media and the world, we rally in front of the Nigerian High Commission in London on the 15th of every month, being the monthly anniversary of their abduction”.

It noted further that:” In May, 2014, there was a ray of hope, when the Nigerian government indicated that it knew the whereabouts of the girls. Sadly, our hopes were dashed, as we have, since then, heard no further news about the missing girls. Many of us are parents and cannot, in good conscience, sit back and do nothing.”

NWDLF told the new APC government that “we are aware that they are not magicians, who can wave a magic wand and wave away all our problems.

“However, given that the safety and security of every nation remains the first priority of any government and how well leaders can deal with most national issues, depends on how much importance and priority such leaders attach to life, safety and security of citizens, we implore the incoming government to give the plight of our girls and their families the utmost attention and help us bring back our girls.”

Campaigners from other nations joined in the one-hour rally before it ended after 6pm.