America’s first lady Michelle Obama has condemned the kidnapping of the more than 200 girls abducted from a secondary school in Chibok Borno State, Nigeria.
Obama expressed her feelings about the kidnapping in a radio program on Saturday, criticizing it as an “unconscionable act” carried out by “grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls.”
She declared that she is joining her voice with the voices of millions of people around the world to condemn the dastardly act.
“In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters. We see their hopes, their dreams and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now,” Obama said.
She seized the opportunity to commend all the girls around the world, who are struggling against all odds to have basic education. Referring to Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai’s example, the first lady pointed out that violence against young girls who are determined to pursue education should be frowned at.
“A story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions, what happened in Nigeria is not an isolated incident, Malala Yousafzai, survived being shot in the head as she travelled to school in 201,” she said.
Obama called on all concerned to allow young girls pursue education, noting that they will eventually become educated women who earn higher pay and contribute heavily to the entire family’s wellbeing.
“When more girls attend secondary school, it boosts their country’s entire economy. So education is truly a girl’s best chance for a bright future, not just for herself, but for her family and her nation,” Obama added.
She encouraged American teenagers who are not taking education seriously to learn from the examples of those risking their lives to attend school, noting that over 65million girls worldwide are unable to attend school, not because they do not want to, but because of circumstances.
“I hope that any young people in America who take school for granted, any young people who are slacking off or thinking of dropping out, I hope they will learn the story of these girls and recommit themselves to their education,” she said.
Obama urged everyone to join in praying for the safe return of the kidnapped girls.
“Let us hold their families in our hearts during this very difficult time, and let us show just a fraction of their courage in fighting to give every girl on this planet the education that is her birthright,” she concluded.
The girls were kidnapped from their school, Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State on 14th April. A few of them escaped the following day but majority of them remain captive in an unknown location. Islam extremist sect, Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, threatening in a video message that they will “sell the girls in the market.” The abduction and Nigerian security agencies’ inability to find and rescue the girls for close to a month now, has caused protest on an international scale. America, China and Britain have offered help toward rescuing the girls.
