Chicago (U.S.) - Hundreds of Nigerians in Chicago in the
U.S. on Saturday held a solidarity rally, demanding that the
terror group, Boko Haram, unconditionally release the
schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno.
Over 200 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok on
April 14.
The Nigerians, during the rally, also demanded greater U.S.
support for the Federal Government in its war against Boko
Haram.
The rally titled
#unitedagainstbokoHaram:#bringbackourgirls was also
organised in Atlanta, Dallas, Greenville SC, Los Angeles,
New York, Washington DC, Windsor Canada and Belmopan
Belize.
Participants at the rally carried placards with inscriptions
such as “Nigeria needs support to fight terrorism’’ and “Stop
Boko Haram’’.
Other placards read “Obama, please help stop Boko
Haram’’ and “we love the girls, bring them home’’, among
others.
Addressing the rally, the acting Chairperson of Nigerians in
Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) in the U.S., Dr Sandra
Dafiaghor, said the rallies showed a united front against the
terrorist organisation.
She urged the citizens and governments of the U.S.,
Canada, and all NIDO host countries to support Nigeria in
the global war against terrorism.
“We are grieved and touched, by the abductions and recent
stories of yet another abduction of about 60 women and
children.
“Nigeria needs help to combat the global menace of
terrorism. We are appealing to the American people and
government to assist the Nigerian people stop Boko Haram
and bring back our girls.
“We must rally round the Federal Government to ensure that
the activities of Boko Haram are stopped,’’ Dafiaghor said.
She called for global assistance to fight terrorism in
Northern Nigeria.
“We have a responsibility to rally behind the parents, people
and government of Nigeria and bring the girls back home to
safety,’’ the NIDO chairperson said.
“The violation of the rights of women and girls on such a
scale, no matter who they are and where they are, requires
the whole world to stand up and take action.’’
Dafiaghor called on all Nigerians to unite as a people to
tackle all forms of terrorism in the country.
Also speaking, one of the participants, Ms Linda Oyewopo,
who said she attended a school in Nigeria, said the students
deserved to have the same opportunities as she did.
She said the girls were targeted for the simple reason that
they went to school.
“They were exercising their right to education; they were
kidnapped by the Boko Haram,’’ she said.
Boko Haram has for the first time been included on the UN
list of parties or state actors who violate the rights of
children in armed conflict.
This was among the findings released in the annual report of
the UN Secretary General on children and armed conflict
which highlights 23 conflict situations around the world.
The document highlights conflict situations where children
are recruited and used, killed and maimed or become
victims of sexual violence.
It documents cases of child recruitment by seven national
armies and 50 armed groups fighting wars in the Central
African Republic, South Sudan, Syria and 11 other countries.
The Secretary General’s Special Representative on Children
and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui says: “Boko Haram has
increased attacks on schools, killing and maiming dozens of
children, as well as other grave violations.’’
Zerrougui said the situation in Nigeria is one of many grave
concerns.(NAN)
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/nigerians-u-s-hold-rally-boko-haram/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Chicago (U.S.) - Hundreds of Nigerians in Chicago in the U.S. on Saturday held a solidarity rally, demanding that the terror group, Boko Haram, unconditionally release the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno.

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