CSOs task media on increased reports on kidnapped Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Saturday, urged media practitioners to intensify reports on the kidnapped Chibok girls abducted by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, on April 14, 2014.

They also called on the president-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and his vice, Sen. Kassim Shettima, to see the rescue of Leah Sharibu and the remaining Chibok girls as a priority as they prepare to take over mantle of leadership.

The call was made at a media screening of “Nine Years Life after Chibok Abduction” organised by Women Radio 91.7FM in Abuja.

Speaking, the Chief Executive of Connected Development, Hamzat Lawal, urged members of the media not to relent in their reportage.

“As a society, the Nigerian media set the tones for governance and for engagement.

“And knowing that this has taken over nine years, they cannot get tired and abandon it.

“Because as a society, if we are unable to protect girls and our children, then what kind of society are we building?

“I believe this is an opportunity here with the transition ongoing and with the incoming administration.

“It is important to use this to also set an agenda for them and to also say that beyond tackling insecurity, what happens to people that have been abducted and with Boko Haram?

“These people must be reunited with their families and loved ones,” he said.

A member of #BringBackOurGirls, Bukky Sonibare, also urged the media to leverage their conversation around nine anchor points, which include communication with the parents and relatives of the girls.

“We need a spotlight on that. The second is accountability in terms of the money allocated and the policies that were made,” she said.

Sonibare said the media should also look at the importance of the return of the girls themselves, and the missing persons register.

According to her, the fifth will be in terms of victim support fund.

She said the victim support fund was created for this purpose and journalists need to ask what had been used and not being used.

“The sixth is the impact of the Safe School Initiative. Nigeria is signatory to the Safe School Declaration and we must be able to provide conversation around that.