Nations Are Built By Words -By Sesugh Akume

‘Do you know why America will never leave a soldier behind or forget their citizen in another country under any circumstance?’ Sheikh Nura Khalid, chief imam of Apo mosque in Abuja asked. ‘It’s because to America, every single individual American is like the entire America, so if one single American is suffering, is captive, or distressed it’s as if the America is suffering, is in captivity, and distress. How can it be said that America is in captivity, or in a helpless situation? Until Nigerian leaders prioritise the life of each individual Nigerian, whoever they are — rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated, influential or uninfluential — as Nigeria herself, only then can we say we’re beginning to build a nation. This way every citizen feels connected to the nation with a sense of belonging, patriotism, and loyalty.’ And on, the lecture continued.

That was when I understood the full meaning of ‘E pluribus unum’ in English, ‘Out of many, one’, the motto of the United States of America. Diversity is strength, many came together from 13 colonies, peoples of different backgrounds became one. Extended, every single American is America. Touch one, and you’ve touched America. Nigeria’s motto is ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress’. 

On 19 February 2018, at about 5:30 in the evening 110 schoolgirls of Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, located in Bulabulin, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe, northeast Nigeria were abducted in their school by Boko Haram terrorists. This happened years after the Chibok girls’ abduction on 14 April 2014, meaning clearly we learnt nothing. Then came the denials, confusion, and outright lies told to cover up. But none of this could last, it was clear, no one could hide it. After intense pressure, 104 returned 30 days after, on 21 March. Five, we’re told died, 1 wasn’t released, didn’t return, was left behind by her country which negotiated the release of the others. Leah Sharibu. She was the only Christian amongst them who had refused to renounce her Christian faith in order to be released. She was age 14, today 14 May she turns 16. 

The Dapchi girls’ offence was that they wanted an education. Their main offence really was that they’re poor, and from rural Nigeria, in the backside of no where. Imagine for a second that they were the daughters of the Who is Who in Nigeria, schooling in some posh Abuja private school. For Leah, her other crime was her faith. But she ought to have the liberty to belong to any faith of her choosing, and it’s the Nigerian government’s responsibility to guarantee her the freedom to practise it. Nigeria turned her back and left Leah behind. It’s been 449 days of her languishing in captivity, 419 days alone with the terrorists after her colleagues’ release was negotiated, and they returned home.

The world celebrates this young woman of courage, faith, and conviction today on her 16th birthday. We will not rest until you’re returned. Stay strong. Happy birthday.