According to them, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed to secure the release of Sharibu despite series of promises made.
The stakeholders made this call after a media screening of a documentary that showcased the lives of survivors, parents, and siblings of the Chibok girls’ abduction in Abuja yesterday.
On February 19, 2018, Boko Haram terrorists stormed the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State and kidnapped 110 girls.
The Federal Government, through a back-door negotiation in March of the same year, secured the release of 104 of them. While five of the girls were said to have died, Leah Sharibu, the only Christian girl among them wasn’t released because she refused to renounce her faith.
During a panel discussion, they noted that the abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 remains a painful memory for many Nigerians, stressing that the incoming administration has a unique chance to make significant progress towards finding the girls and reuniting them with their families.
The panelists also discussed the need for sustained advocacy and pressure on the government to take decisive action towards the rescue of the remaining girls.
They highlighted the importance of collaboration between civil society groups and the media in keeping the issue in the public eye and making progress towards finding the girls.
Adaora Sydney-Jack, a panelist and Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, emphasised the need for the government to be more forthcoming in giving feedback and information to galvanise action towards the rescue of the girls.
She said; “The government needs to be more transparent and communicate more with the families and stakeholders. We need to know what they are doing and what steps they are taking to bring back our girls.”
Hamzat Lawal, another panelist and Chief Executive Officer of Connected Development (CODE), echoed the same sentiment and stressed the importance of stakeholders continuing to give a sense of hope to the families and survivors.
He said: “We need to keep hope alive and continue to press for action to ensure that this new government, and maybe one way we can hold them to account is that the person who has emerged as the next Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, was the sitting governor when this happened. ‘’
“So, maybe he would use the Office of the Vice President or the presidency infrastructure to respond to this call-to-action.”
Murtala Abdullahi, a journalist and panelist, raised concerns about the lack of information available to Nigerians regarding the care of the rescued girls and their families.
He said: “We need to know what the government is doing to support the girls and their families. Nigerians need to hear more about the care and rehabilitation of the girls that have been rescued.”
In her contributions, Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa and member of Bring Back Our Girls Movement, emphasized the role of the media in creating a spotlight on the issue and making it a priority for the government.
She said: “The media needs to keep the issue in the public eye and create a sense of urgency. Whatever the media creates a spotlight on, the government will take as a priority of the people.”
Dr. Gloria Puldu, the Founder of LEAH Foundation and panelist, encouraged the media to be more resilient and continue holding the government accountable.
She revealed that the Yobe State government have refused to reach to Leah’s parent five years after her abduction.
She said: “We will to keep pushing the government to do more and hold them accountable for their promises. The media has a critical role to play in ensuring that the government takes action towards the rescue of the remaining girls.
“We will want to encourage you be more resilient. Do not allow the government in any way to sabotage your efforts or to suppress your voices.”
actor with the caption; “I am in total shock. May God grant you eternal rest Murphy.”
Actor and producer, Kunle Afod, wrote, “Black weekend in the industry. We lost four people in the space of two days… RIP Murphy Afolabi, RIP Saint Obi, RIP Adidigba, RIP Techno sound.”
Also, Olaniyi Afonja, popularly known as “Sanyeri”, said: “It is so shocking to hear the death of my wonderful friend, Murphy Afolabi. I pray God be with the family he left behind. Murphy rest in perfect peace.”
