Chibok schoolgirls

The #BringBackOurGirls group, a movement which has been campaigning for the release of hundreds of girls kidnapped from Chibok, Borno State by the insurgent group Boko Haram said on Tuesday that its confidence has been boosted on the eventual release of the abducted girls by some pragmatic steps being taken by the Muhammadu Buhari administration recently.

The group which said this during the unveiling of series of activities it intended to carry out to mark 500 days in captivity of the Chibok girls said the hopes and confidence of its members have been rekindled and they are assured that sooner than later the girls shall return, especially with the president’s December 2015 deadline to the military to defeat Boko Haram and so on.

The group however said even though it is ever hopeful and expectant of the rescue of the girls, it will organize a Global Week of Action to commemorate the tragedy of their abduction.

“This week of events is to remind the world that our 219 #ChibokGirls are still in captivity and not yet back 500 days on, and for everyone to call on their governments to do something to help bring them back. Not only governments, everyone can do something however little, to keep their tragedy of their abduction alive and to keep the hope that we can have them back.

“During this special Global Week of Action, in Abuja there will be a diversity of activities and events like, Asr Prayers this Friday at the Unity Fountain our usual meeting venue, as well as a special prayer service at the same venue on Sunday.  Tree planting, an engagement with the UN secretary general at the Unity Fountain, march by #ChibokGirls Ambassadors, and so forth,” the group said in a statement signed by its two coordinators, Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman read out to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

The group said the Friday, 21 August 2015 will mark the beginning of our Global Week of Action #GWA, themed, “500 Days On, Chibok Girls — Crying To Be Rescued, Never To Be Forgotten.’’ The group encouraged Nigerians on social media to use the hashtags #GWA #500DaysOn #ChibokGirls #CryingToBeRescued #NeverToBeForgotten #BringBackOurGirls to commemorate the Global Week of Action.

The group enjoined everyone  on Thursday, 27 August 2015 which is Day 500 of the abducted of the girls,  wear red, or at least a touch of red in the memory and honour of our #ChibokGirls.

“We also solicit that you carry out any activity or activities that suit your convenience, for this purpose. It could be a march, candle light vigil, tying a red ribbon, delivering letters to elected representatives, etc. Also, be kind to remember sharing images of the events using the hashtags.

“We must all continue to lend our voices to call for their rescue. We find their continued captivity extremely disturbing.

“Wherever you may be around the world, we urge you to join us in voicing out that our innocent #ChibokGirls (who are global citizens) are  Crying to be Rescued, that the world must ensure that they are Never to be Forgotten. We cannot afford to move on without a positive closure on this monumental tragedy that befell young women who went to school to be educated, and us all,” the group said.