Nigerians Report Online: Rallies Across North America Call for International Action Against Boko Haram

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Rallies Across North America Call for International Action Against Boko Haram

Rallies across North America Call for International Action against Boko Haram
Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) to Host Coordinated Rallies on July 5 Calling for International Support to Bring Back Kidnapped Girls

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, July 5, 2014, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) in the Americas will host a series of simultaneous rallies, called #UnitedAgainstBokoHaram to #BringBackOurGirls. The rallies will show a united front against the terrorist organization Boko Haram and call for the citizens and governments of United States, Canada, and all NIDOA host countries to support Nigeria in the global war against terrorism.

"These rallies across the Americas are a statement from Nigerians, and the citizens of the world who stand beside them, that we will not forget the atrocious acts being perpetrated against Nigerian children," said Chief Gabe Okoye, the chairman of NIDO in the Americas. "Through these rallies, we will show Boko Haram that we, and the international community, will not stand quietly by while women and children are abducted from their homes. We are telling them to bring back our girls."

Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor, the acting chair and organizer of the rallies, added, "Nigeria needs help to combat the global menace of terrorism. We are appealing to the American people and government to assist the Nigerian people with stopping Boko Haram and bringing back our girls."

The rallies will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2014, at various times throughout the day. The events will be held in the United States in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Indianapolis, and Greenville, S.C. Abroad they will be held in Windsor, Ontario and Belmopan, Belize. The rallies will show solidarity, raise local support, and promote an international call to action to find and release the more than 200 captive Chibok girls.

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram abducted more than 200 girls in April 2014 and has since launched attacks across Nigeria, from a suicide bombing at a World Cup viewing site to terrorist bombings in northeastern Nigerian villages. The Nigerian government has actively pursued efforts, both at home and abroad, to release the girls and stop Boko Haram from terrorizing its citizens.

NIDO chapters across the Americas are banding together to call the international community to action. To learn more about the events, visit http://www.nigeriansunited.com/. Information will also be posted on Twitter at @NigeriansUnited and on Facebook at Nidos Americas. To follow along with the rallies on social media and to promote posts from the rally, use the hashtags: #UnitedAgainstBokoHaram and #BringBackOurGirls.

About NIDO
Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) in the Americas instills ethical consciousness and civic responsibility to enhance the socio-economic advancement of Nigerians and humanity. Established in 2000, the D.C.-based, non-profit promotes social advocacy, education, healthcare, technological and economic empowerment, as well as skills and cultural exchange projects. NIDO is recognized by the Nigerian government as the umbrella organization for all Nigerians in the Americas and Caribbean. To learn more, visit http://www.nidoamerica.org/.

SOURCE Nigerians in Diaspora Organization
CONTACT: Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor, Ag Chair, NIDOA, (219) 712-9567 or jeremi@prodigy.net; or Dr. Sam Afolayan, General Secretary, NIDOA, (403) 835-1752 or safolayan@nidoamerica.org