#BringBackOurGirls:IDAY Network of European, African Organs Joins Campaign,Writes Jonathan

June 18, 2014

Dignitaries at IDAY event,Abuja on Wednesday
By Danlami Nmodu
The IDAY network , a coalition of African and European organisations committed to protecting the rights of African youth, especially the right to education, has added its voice to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign by writing a letter to President Jonathan.This was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Mohammed B.Attah, the IDAY-Nigeria coordinator at a forum to mark the network’s event this year.
A copy of IDAY’s letter obtained by Newsdiaryonline.com was dated May 16,2014 and actually addressed to President Jonathan, titled:ReBring Back Our Girls and girls’ education in Nigeria .It was written about a month after over 200 girls were kidnapped from their school in Chibok .IDAY told the president in the letter that it was “greatly distressed by this attack and by the plight of these children.We also mourn the hundreds of people in the north of Nigeria whose lives were claimed in similar raids in the past months.”
IDAY expressed it empathy with the victims and added,”we also stand in solidarity with all those who work day and night at getting the girls released”.The network said “the tragic situation is a reminder of the many tragic challenges that continue to face girls’ education in Nigeria ,particularly in the Northern region.”
The letter signed by Jean Jaques Schul,chairman IDAY International,Noelle Garcin,secretary general,IDAY International,Chief Mrs Yemisi A.Sanusi,chairwoman,IDAY –UK and Mohammed Bougei Attah,coordinator IDAY –Nigeria said “the IDAY members join their voices to the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign encouraging the Nigerian Government to take the necessary action to ensure the safe and immediate return of all the missing girls.We also recommend making post –traumatic stress counseling and support available to the Chibok Secondary School Girls, their parents and relatives affected by this tragedy(See letter below).

At Wednesday’s event, the participants emphasized the need to give special attention to the education of Nigerian children.Commentators reiterated the need for academic and moral education.Equally, the participants stressed the need for proper sanitation, good water and security among others to encourage the education of the African child.
Dignitaries at today’s event include Attah,Okafor Tochukwu(who delivered the lead speech),Mr Casmiar , Rosemary Effiong,Mary Manzo ,Benjamin Alutoho and Mariam S.Ibrahim among others.