BY Mayowa Tijani
Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has called on Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect, to rescue the schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state, by Boko Haram one year ago.
Speaking at the one-year commemoration of the abduction organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative, the professor of literature, said the humanity as a whole must rise against terror in every part of the world.
“We are calling on the incoming government to reinforce efforts to bring those children back, so we do not gather here in another anniversary – abysmal anniversary,” he said.
“I’m encouraging all of us, that this is not a Nigerian problem alone, no. I am urging all of you to turn yourselves into observatories – this thing would not go away soon. Please understand that it’s like an amorphous problem Push it here, it goes there.
“We must become policemen and women, police girls and boys. Whether you’re handicapped, whether you’re in a wheel chair, I want you all to stand – be vigilantes of your community, be volunteers. We must ensure we do not come back here to celebrate a dismal event.”
Also at the event was Pat Utomi, a professor of economics, who urged the incoming government to devise a clear strategy for quickly rescuing the girls.
“It is important to recognise that nothing gets done without a clear strategy; there should be a team that quickly takes on some of these as early quick wins.
“I think it should not be rocket science gathering intelligence about where things are. They are not as we expect them because a year has passed but I think intelligence can be gathered to help salvage what is possible under the circumstance.”
Joey Odumakin, convener of the initiative, said Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram, murdered sleep a year ago. She urged Goodluck Jonathan to intensify efforts towards securing the freedom of the girls.
“I want the outgoing government to realise that the few days that we have left, Nigerians remain hopeful that the greatest parting gift that can be given to our dear citizens is for our girls to be reunited with us,” she said.
“I want the incoming government to realise that the time for celebration is gone. We must hit the ground now. Our priority and what we want to hear loud and clear is ‘rescue our girls now.’”
Others present at the event include Foluke Daramola, nollywood actress; NaetoC, Nigerian Hip hop artiste; Aisha Falode, sports journalist; Yeni Kuti, daughter of late Afrobeat king Fela Kuti; Funmi Tejuosho, member of Lagos house of assembly; and Ganiat Fawehinmi, wife of late human right activist Gani Fawehinmi.
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