The “Chibok” abduction has finally done what the previous 10 years of killing and destruction failed to do. It has galvanized public opinion in Nigeria and worldwide and it has united us as a nation to condemn and confront the Boko Haram menace. The facts of the abduction are horrific and the plight of the girls heart-breaking but the full implications of this incident go far beyond the immediate outcry it has caused. It raises profound and disturbing questions about our beliefs and values as a nation. It has raised a mirror unto our society and forced us to look ourselves and ask who we are and what we stand for.
The outright violation of human life by this sect of insurgents has given birth to the world wide movement aptly named #BringBackOurGirls. It is unfortunate that the solidarity of world citizens is often only engendered by tragic conditions and situations such as this. Nevertheless, we must as a nation and a people seize this opportunity to all lend our voices in condemnation of the Boko Haram cancer that has infected our nation. Every Nigerian must speak and act as one in this matter. This lingering menace affects all of us, and cuts across religion, ethnicity, economic situation or political affiliation.
We should not let this happen again to any Nigerian in any part of Nigeria. We are our brother’s keepers.
We believe that to combat the several ills that bedevil our society, including the growth of terrorism, corruption and the bestial immorality practiced by Boko Haram and others of its ilk, we must begin to guard our rights as citizens more jealously and carry out our civic responsibilities more resolutely. Politics is far too important to be left only to politicians.
In a democratic setting, it is the involvement of citizens that produces enlightened leadership.
Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA), Lagos
