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Showing posts from May, 2014

May 23rd, 2014 Rally at Nigeria House, NYC

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There was an interfaith rally  to call for the recovery of all abducted Nigerian girls and their reunification with their families o n Friday, May 23, 2014 from 11 am to 3pm, at Nigeria House NYC (828 2 nd Avenue, b/w East 44 th & East 45 th Streets). #BringBackOurGirlsNYC joined in the rally organized by “For the Love of Africa, For the Love of Nigeria, and the Organization for the Advancement of Nigeria (OAN), Christian Association of Nigerian Americans (CANAN) , the National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organizations in the USA (NCNMO), Nigerian Lawyers Association , Nigerian Social Workers Association , Nigerian Diaspora Leadership Forum (NDLF), quite a few other concerned Diasporan Nigerians and organizations. The keynote speaker was Mr. Emmanuel Ogebe , who was invited by "For the Love of Africa, For the Love of Nigeria." Other speakers include Prince Akeem Adeyemi, who participated spontaneously, Rev. Dr. Herbert Daughtry, National Presiding Minister of the H

#BringBackOurGirlsNYC & For the Love of Africa, For the Love of Nigeria rally at Nigeria House NYC, Friday, May 23, 2014.

Contact: Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome bringbackourgirlsNYC@gmail.com Twitter: #BBOG_NYC; Facebook: #BringBackOurGirlsNYC, For the Love of Africa, For the Love of Nigeria rally at Nigeria House (2 nd Avenue & E 44 th Street, NYC on Friday, May 23, 2014. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brooklyn, NY — On Friday May 23 , #BringBackOurGirlsNYC, For the Love of Africa, For the Love of Nigeria, Nigerian Diasporan Hometown Associations, local NYC organizations, community leaders will join #For the Love of Africa, For the love of Nigeria, at a rally in solidarity for more than 200 girls abducted by the terrorist militant group Boko Haram in Nigeria.  The event will take Nigeria House (2 nd Avenue & E 44 th Street, NYC on Friday, May 23, 2014 .  The rally will raise awareness about the kidnappings in Nigeria and unite New York City’s multicultural and multi-faith community in solidarity for the girls’ safe return to their families. “We call on the Nigerian government to rescue

#BringBackOurGirlsNYC, Local NYC Organizations, Community Leaders Prayer Gathering and Candlelight Vigil on Mother’s Day

Contact: Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome bringbackourgirlsNYC@gmail.com #BBOG_NYC #BringBackOurGirlsNYC, Local NYC Organizations, Community Leaders  Prayer Gathering and Candlelight Vigil on Mother’s Day. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Brooklyn, NY — On Sunday May 11 , #BringBackOurGirlsNYC, local NYC organizations, community leaders and the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office will host an interfaith prayer gathering and candlelight vigil in solidarity for more than 200 girls abducted by terrorist militant group Boko Haram in Nigeria.  The event will take place at Brooklyn Borough Hall at 7:30pm .  The candlelight vigil will raise awareness about the kidnappings in Nigeria and unite Brooklyn’s multicultural and multi-faith community in solidarity for the girls’ safe return to their families. “We call on the Nigerian government to rescue these girls and reunite them with their families. We believe that this issue belongs to the Nigerian government, which should take primary res

Professor #BringBackOurGirlsNYC on Day 41 of the Chibok abductions

On this 41st day since the Chibok abduction that violently tore over 200 young girls away from the bosom of their families, my heart goes out to the families of all the girls abducted from Chibok and other locations in Nigeria. The families of those who have been killed, maimed and mutilated as a result of Boko Haram inflicted terror also have my deepest sympathy and condolences. I pray that God comforts them and strengthens them. I pray that they are given the capacity to prevail.  I most of all pray that the damage inflicted on Nigeria and Nigerians will be I haven't been able to sleep well since the escalation of the Boko Haram insurgency.  I am with you in being heartbroken, saddened and incensed by the wanton disregard for the safety, well-being, welfare and security of its citizens by the FGN.   What is a government without people? Who should count more, the majority or a callous, minute, insular and clueless minority?  Why did we fight for independence?  What does sove

#BringBackOurGirlsNYC: WHAT YOU CAN DO

#BringBackOurGirlsNYC:  WHAT YOU CAN DO We have witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of support from all over the world by ordinary people, students, politicians, community leaders and entertainers -  are all tweeting pictures of themselves with signs saying, '#bringbackourgirls'. This global activism fortifies those within the country and keeps the pressure on the Nigerian government to take credible action.  U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama also used the platform of the President’s weekly address to lend her voice and visibility to this critical issue. But more is needed today! 1)       Additional pressure must be brought to bear on the Nigerian government.  Diplomatic missions and embassies around the world should be targeted for lobby visits, phone calls, and public demonstrations.  2)       International organizations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, as well as intergovernmental agencies like UN WOMEN, UN Office for the Representative for Childre

I have now become Prof. #BringBackOurGirlsNYC!

Today is one month and 7 days after the Chibok abductions in Borno State, Nigeria. Nigerian women's organizations formed the Women for Justice and Peace Coalition to develop and sustain a movement that created the #BringBackOurGirls   campaign.  They have had, and are having rallies all over Nigeria.  More are planned.    The worldwide response and support is so much appreciated.  But there's need for more. I need your help. I consulted with the leaders and founders of the #BringBackOurGIrls in Nigeria, very powerful, admirable, strong and principled women.  They wanted Nigerians in the Diaspora to stand with them and speak up.  I decided to stand up and be counted.  Please join me.  Support for this issue puts you on the right side of history.  Nigerian women have always participated in the political, social and economic life of their various communities.  However, their participation has not been rewarded by commensurate representation in official positions of power.  

Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Implications for West Africans on bot...

Kudos to Lagos, Ogun Women Groups for May 5 2014 and other rallies to #BringBackOurGirls

The responsibility for the security of all Nigerians belongs to the Nigerian government.  This principle is affirmed in Nigeria's constitution.   Nigerian Constitution, Chapter II :  Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy Sections 13, and Sections 14, Subsections 1, 2 a-c 13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution. 14. (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice. (2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that: (a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and (c) the participation by the pe

Bring Back Our Girls Rally this afternoon Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Please join us on Tuesday May 6, at 12 noon in front of the Nigerian House to rally in support of the over 200 Nigerian school girls who were abducted by Boko Haram. CANAN is joining with the Nigerian Democratic Liberty Forum, NDLF, to organize this rally, even as similar events are being planned in other major cities. Speakers expected include New York Mayor's wife, Canan and NDLF leaders. As we march in New York on Tuesday, a similar rally is taking place in Washington DC on the same day. The time has come for us to come out and speak out. Come one, come all Venue: Nigeria House 828 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017 'Laolu Akande Executive Director Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN P. O. Box 1041 Bay Shore, New York 11706 CANANUSA.ORG -- CANAN NATIONAL SECRETARIAT P.O.Box 1041 Bay Shore, New York 11706. 516-819-4355 cananusa.org cananusa@gmail.com

Bring Back Our Girls!

I was on PBS Newshour this evening (May 5, 2014) to speak briefly about the ongoing situation of over 200 girls who were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 .    Reports have varied about the number of girls that are missing.  The Christian Association of Nigeria released 180 names .  The list shows that majority of the girls are Christian. However, there should be no separation between the Christian and Muslim names.  These girls are all God's children.  They belong to all of us.  We want ALL OF THEM BACK!  Equally important, are these all the names?  Are these some of the names?  Nobody knows at this point.  This is unacceptable and unjust..   The problem Nigeria faces is one of human security that arises from the intersection of fundamental political, social and economic variables, and cannot be resolved without devising interlocking strategies that address all these spheres in a harmonized manner.     The Federal Government o

Bring Back Our Girls

Over 200 girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 .  It's heartbreaking, tragic, and unacceptable that most of them are yet to be found.   It is also unacceptable and unconscionable that we don't even have an accurate number of girls that were originally missing, those that were able to escape, and those yet to be found . There are alarming rumors about what may have happened to them. Nigerian security forces have not demonstrated that they're up to the task of challenging Boko Haram and ending this unacceptable situation. Human security is at stake in Nigeria.  In order to begin to inspire the confidence of its people, the Nigerian government needs to focus on this situation and must not relax until it brings the girls back to their families. The Christian Association of Nigeria released 180 names of the abducted girls   However, there should be no separation between the Christian and Muslim names.  These girls are all God'

NYC Rallies to Bring Back Our Girls!

234 girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 . It's heartbreaking, tragic, and unacceptable that most of them are yet to be found.  It is also unacceptable that we don't even have an accurate number of girls that were originally missing, those that were able to escape, and those yet to be found. There are alarming rumors about what may have happened to them. Nigerian security forces have not demonstrated that they're up to the task of challenging Boko Haram and ending this unacceptable situation. Human security is at stake in Nigeria.  In order to begin to inspire the confidence of its people, the Nigerian government needs to focus on this situation and must not relax until it brings the girls back to their families. Here's a Channels TV news clip from the Friday, May 2 rally in NYC And Sahara Reporters has some pictures from the Saturday rally: http://saharareporters.com/ news-page/rally-return- kidnapped-nige

Join NYC rallies for 234 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Nigeria

234 girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 . It's heartbreaking, tragic, and unacceptable that most of them are yet to be found.  It is also unacceptable that we don't even have an accurate number of girls that were originally missing, those that were able to escape, and those yet to be found. There are alarming rumors about what may have happened to them. Nigerian security forces have not demonstrated that they're up to the task of challenging Boko Haram and ending this unacceptable situation. Human security is at stake in Nigeria.  In order to begin to inspire the confidence of its people, the Nigerian government needs to focus on this situation and must not relax until it brings the girls back to their families. P eople in NYC, please come out and join these rallies.  NEW YORK: Join the NYC rallies Friday and Saturday! Friday, May 2 2014. 12 noon -2pm Ralph Bunche Park, 1st Avenue between East 42nd & 43rd Street

URGENT: Support our Abducted Nigerian Girls from Chibok

234 girls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State, Nigeria by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014 . It's heartbreaking, tragic, and unacceptable that most of them are yet to be found.  It is also unacceptable that we don't even have an accurate number of girls that were originally missing, those that were able to escape, and those yet to be found. There are alarming rumors about what may have happened to them. Nigerian security forces have not demonstrated that they're up to the task of challenging Boko Haram and ending this unacceptable situation. Human security is at stake in Nigeria.  In order to begin to inspire the confidence of its people, the Nigerian government needs to focus on this situation and must not relax until it brings the girls back to their families. While this situation is extremely painful and will remain so until all the girls are returned to their families, I am very proud of Nigerian women who have mobilized, those who marched in Abuja, who pla