CHIBOK: A Revolution Or Revelation! By Daniel E. Obinna

Lights… Camera… Action! And 276 FGC students in Chibok area of Borno State are absent from classes, absent from hostel roll-calls, morning duties and all the other curricular activities that make the four walls of a school environment breathe.

Our greatest fear? That like every other matter of national interest, the abducted girls of FGC Chibok would be swept under that already junk-laden carpet of matters-treated-with-levity. A feat Africa’s most industrious nation has come to be known for.

Did I hear you say God forbid? Well, perhaps religion would yet again become a threshold of hope for most of us expecting a better Nigeria or the unending list of ostentatious social gatherings/happenings around the country would abate the grievances of thousands of Nigerians who took to social media to voice their disappointments and grievances out to the world.

Either ways, I think not. Neither a Styrofoam pack of food/assorted meat, a fine display of music by a DJ nor a talisman or a Holy Bible would appease the hearts of the parents of the abducted girls, Nigerians and global citizens alike for the Chibok misfortune.

Even international voices are speaking up for what we are likely to witness as the most provocative national issue that has sparked the uproar of foreign interference. With figureheads the like of Justin Timberlake, Angelina Jolie, Piers Morgan, Forest Whitaker and some NGOs and Institutions of Learning joining in the rebuttal of the inhumanity that befell the Chibok girls, there is no uncertainty that the world is watching and waiting to see how the leadership tackles this.

Safe to say, we brought this upon ourselves by allowing a campaign anchored on bare feet and poor rural upbringing to sear through our conscience and becloud our enfranchisements as a people. Carved in marble, “In the government we trust NOT” would be a rather brazen display to put up in the capital city’s most commercial area for all and sundry to see and appreciate the confidence of the electorate in the government.

Few days ago, mothers, brothers, fathers, sisters, friends and anyone who understood the conceptualization of “siblinghood” either by blood or societal linkage poured out in throngs onto the streets protesting achingly that the abducted girls of Chibok be rescued. (An action that is yet to be duly considered by our leaders).

Consequently, a much more severe reaction trailing social media has left the world asking “What is really happening in Nigeria?” A nation grappling with the forces of terrorism would eventually break or seek for foreign aid. It is no longer news that we have exhausted all diplomatic options possible by virtue of our own limited strength. If so, why has the government been hesitant in asking for such aids? Why lie to ourselves when we can save more lives and properties by embracing the truth? Will Nigeria, a once unified (oh well, almost) federation break in the continuance of this insurgency? Who is Boko Haram? How much does the government know about one of Africa’s most dreaded terrorist groups? How would Nigeria fare in the forthcoming elections of 2015? How many more death tolls would we be forced to count? And the most dreaded question of all……. Who takes over the leadership of Nigeria?

These and many more questions continue to trail the minds of people as the world awaits to see how much of “Good luck” would befall us as the case of the abducted Chibok girls heightens.

Daniel E. Obinna is a writer, a social entrepreneur and an ardent challenger of the status quo, especially when it doesn't support the livelihood of society. A contributing writer for Caritex Newspaper, and currently, the Prime Content Editor for Picturez Magazine.