The Pakistani female education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Malala Yousafzai, has criticised President Goodluck Jonathan and the security operatives for not doing enough to free the schoolgirls abducted from their hostel in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014.
Malala, the youngest-ever laureate in a letter written to mark the one-year anniversary of the Chibok girls’ kidnapping, however said there were reasons for optimism based on the emergence of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), as the Nigeria’s President-elect.
In the letter posted on her website, www.malala.org on Monday, the 17-year-old activist said, “I met Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and urged him to work harder for your freedom. I also asked President Jonathan to meet your parents and the girls, who escaped the kidnapping, which he did a few days later.
“Still, in my opinion, Nigerian leaders and the international community have not done enough to help you. They must do much more to help secure your release. I am among many people pressuring them to make sure you are freed.
“There are reasons for hope and optimism. Nigerian forces are regaining territories and protecting more schools. Nigeria’s newly-elected president, Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make securing your freedom a top priority and promised his government will not tolerate violence against women and girls.”
Malala also expressed her desire for the quick return of the pupils to their families.
The letter reads in part, “On this first anniversary of your captivity, I write to you with a message of solidarity, love and hope. I am one of the millions of people around the world who keep you and your families foremost in our thoughts and prayers.
“We cannot imagine the full extent of the horrors you have endured. But please know this: we will never forget you. We will always stand with you. Today and every day, we call on the Nigerian authorities and the international community to do more to bring you home. We will not rest until you have been reunited with your families.
“Like you, I was a target of militants, who did not want girls to go to school. Gunmen shot me and two of my friends on a school bus. All three of us survived and are back in school. Now we speak out on behalf of all girls about the right to get a proper education. Our campaign will continue until you and all girls and boys around the world are able to access a free, safe and quality secondary education.”
In July last year, Malala visited Nigeria and met with some of the abducted girls’ parents and five of their classmates, who escaped the kidnap, to celebrate her 17th birthday.
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