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| The missing Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria deserve better | The missing Chibok schoolgirls in Nigeria deserve better |
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| The abduction of more than 230 schoolgirls from a rural school in Chibok, Nigeria by the Islamic terror group Boko Haram, and the failure of the Government to act despite clear local intelligence to their likely whereabouts, has ignited something extraordinary among ordinary people in the country. | The abduction of more than 230 schoolgirls from a rural school in Chibok, Nigeria by the Islamic terror group Boko Haram, and the failure of the Government to act despite clear local intelligence to their likely whereabouts, has ignited something extraordinary among ordinary people in the country. |
| After two weeks, during which they set up their own search parties, pooling scare resources to fuel motorbike searches of the forests where the rebels have their camps, the mothers and fathers of the girls marched on the capital Abuja. On Saturday further demonstrations will take place in other cities and as far afield as the US. | After two weeks, during which they set up their own search parties, pooling scare resources to fuel motorbike searches of the forests where the rebels have their camps, the mothers and fathers of the girls marched on the capital Abuja. On Saturday further demonstrations will take place in other cities and as far afield as the US. |
| Rich with oil and poor in governance, President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle seem to be hindering rather than tackling the Boko Haram insurgency while hundreds of poor people who use the bus stations and schools are losing their lives, cannon fodder for forces of political corruption and inertia. The girls who were snatched had just returned to the school for an exam, as it, like other schools in the state, had been closed down by terror threats. | Rich with oil and poor in governance, President Goodluck Jonathan’s inner circle seem to be hindering rather than tackling the Boko Haram insurgency while hundreds of poor people who use the bus stations and schools are losing their lives, cannon fodder for forces of political corruption and inertia. The girls who were snatched had just returned to the school for an exam, as it, like other schools in the state, had been closed down by terror threats. |
| Internationally, Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai was rightly feted and applauded by the great and the good because she had stood up to terrorists who wanted to stop the education of girls. Her book was a best seller and world leaders talked of how inspiring it was as they listened to her talk at the UN or on TV chat shows. | |
| So now where is the international action in support of the bravery of young women who risked all for an education in Nigeria? | So now where is the international action in support of the bravery of young women who risked all for an education in Nigeria? |
| The Chibok girls - who had already reached secondary education represent a whole new generation of change for Nigeria, for Africa, and the world. The UK, the former colonial power, has to step carefully - but it still has to move. We can buy drones on Amazon but not offer any to help in searching the Borno State forests. The international community should learn that they have to try a whole lot harder to help. | The Chibok girls - who had already reached secondary education represent a whole new generation of change for Nigeria, for Africa, and the world. The UK, the former colonial power, has to step carefully - but it still has to move. We can buy drones on Amazon but not offer any to help in searching the Borno State forests. The international community should learn that they have to try a whole lot harder to help. |
| Abuja is to host the World Economic Forum on Africa next week, with the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, among the guests. The conference attracts world leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and business leaders to discuss Africa's economic growth prospects. It's a perfect time for each one of those guests to express their concern over the missing schoolgirls. | Abuja is to host the World Economic Forum on Africa next week, with the Chinese premier, Li Keqiang, among the guests. The conference attracts world leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and business leaders to discuss Africa's economic growth prospects. It's a perfect time for each one of those guests to express their concern over the missing schoolgirls. |
| President Goodluck Jonathan's wife Patience said at an elegant reception yesterday: "Even my husband can be defeated by terrorists." | President Goodluck Jonathan's wife Patience said at an elegant reception yesterday: "Even my husband can be defeated by terrorists." |
| Compare that attitude to the father of one of the Chibok girls: "I will never give up, I will scour the forests, I will not be defeated unless the dead body of my daughter is laid at my feet." | Compare that attitude to the father of one of the Chibok girls: "I will never give up, I will scour the forests, I will not be defeated unless the dead body of my daughter is laid at my feet." |