#BBOGMonthlyMonitoringInitiative Month 11: 14 November to 13 December 2016

Wednesday 14 December 2016
A. Introduction
Today is Day 1037 of our #ChibokGirls’ abduction, Day 622 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s watch, and Day 1022 of consistent #BringBackOurGirls advocacy; 195 #ChibokGirls remain missing.
This is our thirteenth #BBOGMonthlyMonitoringInitiativereport, and one full year of producing these reports which we commenced on 14 February 2016.
B. Matters Arising from our Last Report
Following our 7 days of daily advocacy and marches to the State House, the sit of Nigeria’s presidency, we got an invite for a ‘guided tour of the Northeast’ which we embarked on 16-17 January. We produced a report of the trip, an eye witness account from our perspective, and also wrote a ‘thank-you’ letter to the minister of information and culture who played a vital role in facilitating that learning experience, and copied the acting president. The report and what we saw are available on our website www.bringbackourgirls.ng.
In response to our repeated enquiries, the minister said that negotiations are still on to secure the release of our 83 more Chibok girls we were promised will return ‘soon’. Our question is ‘how soon is “soon”?’
We repeat our enquiries as to the welfare of the 24 that are back and the status of their rehabilitation process. We also wish to know the role of the family in this process, if any.
C. Human Rights Lawyer Sues the Nigerian Government
Mr Emmanuel Ogebe, a human rights lawyer (and guardian of some Chibok girls who escaped in the early days of the abduction now residing in the US), has sued the federal government for wrongfully and maliciously claiming that the 10 Chibok girls are not in school, whereas they are, and this defaming his character.
We hope that this issue can be quickly resolved in the interest of our Chibok girls so that their education and well-being are not disrupted.
D. President Trump discusses Chibok Girls with President Buhari
In light of the news that US President Donald Trump congratulated President Buhari on the return of our 24 Chibok girls, we see an offer of a handshake by the US government to partner with Nigeria in not only rescuing the remaining 195, but all others in captivity and a final routing of Boko Haram, and return of normality to the Northeast. It also shows the importance the world accords the return of our girls, and should be prioritised.
E. The Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region, 24 Feb 2017
The Nigerian government is co-convening a donor conference on the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast. A ‘Multi-Donor Trust Fund’ was Option 3 in our “Rebuilding the North East” Options Note document submitted to both the executive and legislative arms of government which can be accessed here:
http://www.bringbackourgirls.ng/?page_id=2
We welcome the initiative and hope that it will be maximised.
F. President Muhammadu Buhari and Visit to Northeast Nigeria
This week will be exactly 2 years since President Muhammadu Buhari was last in the Northeast to see things first hand for himself, which was during electioneering. As president he has neglected, failed or refused to go to the Northeast to see things for himself, commiserate with the people, empathise with the IDP situation, and cheer the troops who are sacrificing day and night in the counterinsurgency war. This is so despite several reminders in the last 2 years.
G. Bunu Yadi Memorial
In 11 days it will be 3 years since the terrorists attacked Federal Government College, Buni Yadi and killed 29 schoolchildren on 25 February 2014. We shall as usual hold a memorial event for this purpose. We wish to bring to fore the issues pertaining to whether the school is open and the children are back in school; whether the families were reached out to, consoled and compensated; how the families are coping; and other issues of endangered education in Nigeria.
H. Conclusion
In 59 days, on 14 April 2017 it will be 3 years since our Chibok girls were abducted. We MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT wish to mark this date with our girls still in captivity. WHAT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOING TO ENSURE THEIR RESCUE BEFORE THEN?
We end our address by saluting the courage, valour, and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform, as well as the volunteers, and their families who sacrifice to keep all of us safe. May your labour never be in vain.
Thank you.
Signed:
For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls
AISHA YESUFU
OBY EZEKWESILI