Concerned by what they perceive as ‘benumbing apathy’ to the cause of rescuing Chibok girls, members of the “Bring Back Our Girls” advocacy movement are now planning a mega protest march in Abuja.
According to leaders of the group, Mrs. Obi Ezekwesili, Hajia Aisha Yusuf and Dr. Emman Shehu, a peaceful protest march will take place on Tuesday.
Chairman of Kibaku Area Development Association, a communal initiative founded by people from Chibok and surrounding areas in Borno state told The Nation that in addition to government’s apathy, many people from his area who are resident in Abuja now appear indifferent to the Chibok girls’ cause.
Speaking with The Nation at the unity Fountain, Abuja where they organized a sit-out before Jumat prayers on Friday, Dr. Emman Shehu stated that although they had begun a ‘Fortnight of Strategic Engagements’ on August 22, next Tuesday’s rally is meant to boost their advocacy effort.
On Friday evening, Shekh Abdulfatai Adeyemi led BBOG members in Islamic prayers at the Unity Fountain while Mrs. Ezekwesili and Hajia Aisha Yusuf also urged members to attend Christian prayer meeting at the same venue on Sunday and mobilise for Tuesday’s protest march.
“Islamic and Christian Prayers are part of the advocacy; it is an advocacy of prayer and faith that God called us for.
“We are not among those that rely on our human capabilities alone; neither are we among those who think one should leave everything for God without making efforts,” Ezekwesili said.
Also, Hajia Aisha Yusuf emphasized that in a season where individuals and government disappoint, the best thing to do is to renew efforts and prayers.
“We are urging all to attend the Islamic and Christian prayers because we believe that prayers can set our nation on a good course, touch even the insurgency and ensure the release of our girls,” she added.
As usual, policemen in three vans stayed within earshot of the BBOG campaigners at Unity Fountain, near Transcorp-Hilton hotel in Abuja on Friday.
