Sen. Stella Oduah reveals what Boko Haram understands more than Nigerians
senator representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah has pointed out that
what Boko Haram terrorists understand which Nigerians do not is the
power of educated girls.
Speaking also against the backdrop of the kidnap and release of some
of the Dapchi schoolgirls, the former Aviation minister lamented that
while the Nigerian forces are winning the war on ground, the
terrorists appear to be prevailing in terms of ideology.
Recalling that the terrorists upon releasing their victims told
anxious parents: "Don't ever put your daughters in school again", the
lawmaker pointed out that the terrorists are clearly threatened by the
power of educated girls and is out to destroy them.
She stated this in an opinion piece entitled: 'Boko Haram understands
what most of us don't. The power of educated girls' sent to DAILY POST
on Friday, which reads in full…
Four years have passed since 14th April 2014 when 276 girls were
abducted in a girl's secondary school in Chibok, Borno state in the
northeast of Nigeria by the Boko Haram Terrorist group. The outpouring
of emotions was unlike anything I have experienced in my lifetime.
Fast forward to 19th February 2018, about 110 schoolgirls were
abducted in the Government Girls Science Technical College in Dapchi,
a small community in Yobe state, by a faction of the terrorist group.
Most of the girls secured their freedom after a series of back-channel
negotiations between the sect and the Nigerian government. While
image-makers of the President Muhammadu Buhari led government cheered,
and declared victory, I was filled with mixed feelings.
I was delighted in part as mother to see the girls reunited with their
parents, but saddened on the other as a Nigerian catholic christian as
reports got in that Leah Sharibu, one of the abducted girls remained a
captive due to her defiance to the instruction by the terrorists that
she renounce her faith.
As as a public official, I am afraid to say that while we continue to
make progress on the territorial front, Boko Haram appears to be
winning on their own ideological turf. The girls were returned but not
without a warning: "Don't ever put your daughters in school again."
A news magazine interview with some parents and students of the school
in Dapchi confirmed my fears. One of the girls interviewed, Rakiya
Adamu, vowed never to return to school. She was not among one of the
abducted school kids. Abdullahi Kawi, a father of one of the girls
wants his daughter to go back to school but under conditions that
security must be provided in the schools.
Many expert observers of the Dapchi abduction find parallels with the
tragedy that befell the Chibok schoolgirls about four years ago. Boko
Haram is clearly threatened by the power of educated girls and seeks
to destroy them. But the biggest difference this time, is that the
sect has stealthily evolved from the dark, evil terrorist group that
they really are, into a faux reasonable group with some grievances.
They received heroes welcome as they returned these girls to the
community while government officials were stoned during an earlier
assessment visit.
Nigeria's President, Mr. Buhari appears to have fallen for this charm
offensive by the group. He offered amnesty — a move that I am totally
opposed to — and which I believe, resonates with most people in my
country and most especially my constituency.
Boko Haram is more of an ideological group that is opposed to
education and civilisation than an expansionist group seeking to
control territory. Winning for them would mean that our women and
girls do not receive education. Winning for them would mean that our
girls get married and pregnant early.
Implications and Prospects
Nigeria has about 10.5 million out-of-school children, making our
country the world's worst afflicted with 60% of these being girls.
The larger fraction is concentrated in the Northeast of Nigeria where
the Boko Haram devastation has led to the destruction and shutdown of
educational facilities. The situation is worse than imagined.
We have no other choice — our schools must be secure or we would see
more people stay out of schools even where they are available.
But the reality is that the current capabilities of the Nigerian
security apparatus will not do. The Nigerian Police Force is acutely
understaffed while the military has maintained that the same
circumstances would make it almost impossible for it to secure all the
schools in the region.
The $100m safe schools initiative championed by former British Prime
Minister, Gordon Brown in partnership with the Nigerian government
under the administration of my boss, the former President Goodluck
Jonathan seems to have stalled under this current administration.
Donors including the Nigerian government contributed about $20m
towards this project but the status is now difficult to track.
This is why I am presently consulting with my colleagues at the
Nigerian Senate to proffer a legislative solution to the issue of
school safety. A number of proposals that I am considering include the
creation of a Safe Schools Guard. This would not be another agency of
government. The proposal would seek to grant legal backing for
security agencies to provide some form of military training to
community vigilantes who would get commissioned into the guard. This
could help to provide the much needed security for our schools without
putting a drain on public expenditure.
The return on investment on girl child education is immense. Once
women are educated, they are more economically empowered to invest in
their families and dislodge poverty, which has become the biggest
lever for Boko Haram recruitment in the region. A global study showed
that educating girls will reduce child marriage by about 64% in
sub-Saharan Africa.
This is why the government of Nigeria and her international partners
must by all means ensure that every available resource is deployed to
make sure our girls can be safe in schools. Even Boko Haram
understands the power of an uneducated female child. What are we
waiting for?
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